"army ruler, army commander"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Harold
Pronunciation: [ h-EHR-uhld ]
Harold is a girl name of Old English origin meaning "army ruler, army commander." Ranked #28,909 in the US, popular nicknames include Harry, Haro, and Harl.
A king's name given to a daughter — bold and historically rich
English
American
Scandinavian
Gender Neutral
Androgynous
Vintage
Unexpected
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"ruler of the army"
Origin: Old Norse
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
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The Story of Harold
Harold is an Old English name derived from 'Hereweald,' composed of 'here' (army) and 'weald' (ruler, power), meaning 'ruler of the army' or 'army commander.' It was brought to England by Scandinavian settlers who knew it as 'Haraldr,' and was borne by multiple Anglo-Saxon and Danish kings, most famously Harold II, the last Anglo-Saxon King of England who fell at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Using Harold for a girl follows a long tradition of gender-crossing names: the strong, commanding sound and the nickname Harry have appealed to parents seeking something genuinely unexpected for daughters.
Harold as a masculine name peaked in the early 20th century. As a girl's name it remains extremely rare — an avant-garde choice that deliberately challenges traditional gender naming conventions, similar to the trend for girls named James, Elliott, or Oliver.
Harold was borne by numerous Scandinavian and English kings across a thousand years of history. The most famous Harold in English memory — King Harold II — fell at Hastings in 1066, making the name a touchstone of English historical identity.
Historical Record
Harold first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 679 babies have been named Harold in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Harold is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #28,909 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Harold II was the last Anglo-Saxon King of England, defeated by William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings in 1066
- Harold Lloyd was one of the greatest silent film comedians, famous for hanging off a clock in Safety Last! (1923)
- Harold and the Purple Crayon (1955) by Crockett Johnson has made Harold a beloved name in children's literature
Harold in Other Languages
French
Harold
German
Harald
Old Norse
Haraldr
Old English
Hereweald
Scandinavian
Harald
Popularity Over Time
#28,909
Current Rank
Rare
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #28,909
- Total SSA Count
- 6
- Cultural Origins
- English American Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Harry
Haro
Harl
Hallie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Harold
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Harold is also used as a boy name, ranked #991.
View Harold as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Harold →Compare Harold with...
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Frequently Asked Questions About Harold
What does the name Harold mean?
"army ruler, army commander" (from Old English). "ruler of the army" (from Old Norse). Harold is an Old English name derived from 'Hereweald,' composed of 'here' (army) and 'weald' (ruler, power), meaning 'ruler of the army' or 'army commander.' It was brought to England by Scandinavian settlers who knew it as 'Haraldr,' and was borne by multiple Anglo-Saxon and Danish kings, most famously Harold II, the last Anglo-Saxon King of England who fell at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Using Harold for a girl follows a long tradition of gender-crossing names: the strong, commanding sound and the nickname Harry have appealed to parents seeking something genuinely unexpected for daughters.
What is the origin of the name Harold?
Harold has Old English, Old Norse, English, American, and Scandinavian origins. In Old English, it means "army ruler, army commander". In Old Norse, it means "ruler of the army".
Is Harold a boy or girl name?
Harold is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #28909. As a boy name, it is ranked #991. Harold is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Harold?
Harold is pronounced h-EHR-uhld.
How popular is the name Harold?
Harold is currently ranked #28909 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Harold?
Common nicknames for Harold include Harry, Haro, Harl, and Hallie.
What are good middle names for Harold?
Popular middle name pairings include Harold Grace, Harold Jo, Harold Lee, Harold Marie, and Harold James.
What are good sibling names for Harold?
Names that pair well with Harold as siblings include Walter, Frances, Mabel, James, and Gertrude.
How many syllables does Harold have?
Harold has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Harold a common or rare name?
Harold is an uncommon name, ranked #28909 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Harold
Harold is a girl name with English, American, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "army ruler, army commander" in Old English .
Is Harold a boy or girl name? Harold is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #28,909 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #991. Harold is more commonly used as a boy name.
Harold is currently ranked #28,909 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Harold has 2 syllables and is pronounced h-EHR-uhld, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Harold include Harry, Haro, Harl, and Hallie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis