Harold Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Harold is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Harold?
Harold is spelled H-A-R-O-L-D. The name has 6 letters.
Harold at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Harold means “army ruler” or “leader of the army,” derived from Old English elements.
- Origin
- Harold is commonly associated with Old English and Old Norse origins, linked to historical figures in medieval Northern Europe.
- Pronunciation
- HAIR-uhld · 2 syllables
Harold Popularity in 2025
Rank#991
Recorded Births230
- Boys usage fell 3 places to #991 and recorded 3 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Harold Mean?
Harold means “army ruler” or “leader of the army,” derived from Old English elements.
Origin: Harold is commonly associated with Old English and Old Norse origins, linked to historical figures in medieval Northern Europe.
How Do You Pronounce Harold?
PronunciationHAIR-uhld
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Harold?
- History
- The name Harold has appeared in historical records of England and Scandinavia during the early medieval period, notably among kings and nobles.
Harold Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2003 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 230 | #991 |
| 2024 | Boys | 227 | #988 |
| 2023 | Boys | 253 | #914 |
| 2022 | Boys | 250 | #923 |
| 2021 | Boys | 236 | #954 |
| 2020 | Boys | 238 | #932 |
| 2019 | Boys | 279 | #815 |
| 2018 | Boys | 284 | #796 |
| 2017 | Boys | 286 | #798 |
| 2016 | Boys | 288 | #802 |
| 2015 | Boys | 283 | #808 |
| 2014 | Boys | 272 | #829 |
| 2013 | Boys | 234 | #889 |
| 2012 | Boys | 261 | #836 |
| 2011 | Boys | 256 | #841 |
| 2010 | Boys | 305 | #744 |
| 2009 | Boys | 266 | #825 |
| 2008 | Boys | 312 | #733 |
| 2007 | Boys | 350 | #680 |
| 2006 | Boys | 356 | #650 |
| 2005 | Boys | 349 | #627 |
| 2004 | Girls | 6 | #14,179 |
| 2004 | Boys | 350 | #613 |
| 2003 | Boys | 343 | #609 |
When Was Harold Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1924 · Boys
14,149 recorded births
National rank #13
1923 · Boys
13,874 recorded births
National rank #13
1921 · Boys
13,811 recorded births
National rank #12
1920 · Boys
13,678 recorded births
National rank #12
Where Harold Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| CT | #498 | 5 |
| WI | #523 | 9 |
| MA | #620 | 7 |
| VA | #670 | 10 |
| AL | #685 | 6 |
| TN | #719 | 9 |
| CO | #756 | 6 |
| NJ | #766 | 8 |