This post contains affiliate links.
At a Glance
- Meaning
- Genuine and bold
- Origin
- Germanic (via Anglo-Norman/Old French)
- Gender
- Primarily used for boys
- Pronunciation
- AHR-chuh-bawld
Archibald traces back to Germanic roots that came into English through Anglo-Norman and Old French, and it carries the meaning genuine and bold. It's a name with real depth of history rather than something recently invented. If you want a name that sounds sturdy and traditional with a meaning you can point to, Archibald fits that bill.
Meaning & Origin of Archibald
Meaning: Genuine and bold.
Origin: Germanic (via Anglo-Norman/Old French).
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Archibald
AHR-chuh-bawldIPA /ˈɑːrtʃɪbɔːld/
Popularity of Archibald
Archibald hit its high point in 1890 at #279, given to 38 babies that year, and by 2024 it had dropped to #1174 with 176 babies given the name.
Names Like Archibald
These names have followed a similar path to Archibald in U.S. popularity over the years.
FAQ
What does the name Archibald mean?
Genuine and bold. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Archibald?
Archibald is pronounced AHR-chuh-bawld (IPA: /ˈɑːrtʃɪbɔːld/).
Is Archibald a popular name right now?
Archibald peaked at #279 in 1890 and is ranked #1174 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Archibald Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Archibald, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Archibald? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
🎲 Think you know your baby names? Take the quiz!
📱 The Baby Names app is here
Swipe names, match with your partner the moment you both say yes, and claim a free Name Art print of your winner. Free to download. See all our apps →

