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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Army ruler, military power
- Origin
- Old English / Old Norse (Germanic)
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- HAIR-uld
Harold is a boy's name rooted in Old English and Old Norse, carrying the meaning "army ruler, military power." Pronounced HAIR-uld, it fits the vintage, timeless, classic style category — a name with real history rather than a recent invention. SSA records for it stretch all the way back to 1880.
Meaning & Origin of Harold
Meaning: Army ruler, military power.
Origin: Old English / Old Norse (Germanic).
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Harold
HAIR-uldIPA /ˈhɛrəld/
Popularity of Harold
Harold hit its high point in 1915, when 10,444 baby boys were given the name and it ranked #12 nationally. By 2024 it had dropped to #988, with just 227 boys named Harold that year.
Names Like Harold
These names share Harold’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Harold mean?
Army ruler, military power. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Harold?
Harold is pronounced HAIR-uld (IPA: /ˈhɛrəld/).
Is Harold a popular name right now?
Harold peaked at #12 in 1915 and is ranked #988 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Harold Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Harold, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Harold? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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