About the name Harold
Harold belongs to the Irish & Celtic and English & American tradition. Its roots are documented, even though its precise meaning is not recorded in the standard references — an honest gap we prefer to a confident guess.
In the United States, Harold first appears in Social Security records in 1880. It climbed to its best-ever rank of #12 in 1915, and in 2024 227 babies received the name — 551,398 in total since 1880. Those are the official counts, not estimates.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Harold mean?
The meaning of Harold is not recorded in the standard references we check. Rather than repeat an unsourced claim, we leave it open — its Irish and Celtic origin is documented, but its exact meaning is not.
Is Harold a boy or girl name?
Harold is a boy name. In 2024, 227 babies received the name in the US.
What origin is the name Harold?
Harold comes from the Irish & Celtic, English & American and Scandinavian tradition.
How popular is the name Harold?
Harold first appears in US records in 1880. Its best-ever ranking was #12 in 1915, and 227 babies were given the name in 2024.
How do you pronounce Harold?
Harold is pronounced /ˈhæɹəld/ (IPA).