Harald Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Harald has its origin in Old Norse, meaning 'ruler of the army'. It evolved through various forms in different languages, reflecting a strong historical lineage. The name is associated with several notable figures throughout history, particularly in Scandinavia, where it gained prominence during the Viking Age. It is perceived as a traditional name today, representing strength and nobility, with no direct biblical relevance.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Harald"
Pronunciation
/ˈhɛərɑːld/
Origin
Old Norse
Etymology
The name Harald derives from the Old Norse name 'Haraldr', which is composed of the elements 'har' meaning 'army' and 'valdr' meaning 'ruler'.
Meaning
Ruler of the army
Language Evolution
Haraldr (Old Norse), Heraldo (Old High German), Heraldo (Spanish), Harald (Modern Scandinavian languages)
Historical Usage
The name Harald gained popularity in Scandinavia during the Viking Age due to notable kings and leaders bearing the name, including Harald Bluetooth, who united Denmark and Norway.
Variants & Derivatives
Harold, Heraldo, Haraldur, Harri
Modern Popularity & Image
In modern times, Harald is viewed as a traditional name, often associated with Scandinavian heritage and history. It is less common today but retains a sense of strength and nobility.
Famous People
Harald Bluetooth, King of Denmark and Norway, Harald Hardrada, King of Norway, Harald V of Norway
📊 Harald Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Harald Name Visualizations
✨ Harald Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 24 peak births in 1925
Geographic Spread
Popular across 3 US states, with strongest presence in New Jersey
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Harald"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Harald"
"Harald" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2220th of 7545 | 215 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2136th of 6773 | 221 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2547th of 7552 | 196 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 4363rd of 10718 | 90 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 13786th of 16616 | 11 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 24088th of 24088 | 5 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 11534th of 23106 | 55 |
Regional Popularity of "Harald" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
96.75% 2289th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
63.70% 1548th/2430 |
- | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
55.90% 1947th/3483 |
- | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Harald" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Harald"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Harald" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Harald" in the United States
The name Harald is most popular in New Jersey, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Harald has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Harald' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2220th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2136th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2547th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 4363rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 13786th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 24088th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 11534th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Harald' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.