Harriet Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Harriet has origins in French and English, derived from the name Henry meaning 'home ruler'. It has evolved through various forms and maintains a meaning associated with leadership within the home. Though it has no biblical relevance, it gained significant popularity in the 19th century, often linked with strong historical figures. Variants like Hattie and Harry reflect its enduring legacy, while today, Harriet is viewed as a classic name with a strong, independent connotation.
The name Harriet is most popular in Hawaii, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Harriet has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Harriet' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 4291st out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4100th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 5937th out of 7552 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 120th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 157th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 330th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1031st out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2788th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 3150th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1196th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Harriet' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Harriet"
Pronunciation
/ˈhær.i.ət/
Origin
French and English
Etymology
The name Harriet is derived from the French form of the name Henry, which means 'home ruler'. It combines the Germanic elements 'haim' meaning 'home' and 'ric' meaning 'ruler'.
Meaning
ruler of the home
Language Evolution
Henriette (French), Harriette (Old French), Harriet (English)
Historical Usage
The name Harriet gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, partly due to its association with notable figures such as Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Variants & Derivatives
Harry, Hattie, Harrietta
Modern Popularity & Image
Harriet is seen as a classic name that evokes a sense of strength and independence. It has a vintage charm and is gaining renewed interest in contemporary naming trends.
Famous People
Harriet Tubman, an American abolitionist and political activist, Harriet Beecher Stowe, an American author and abolitionist, Harriet Scott, an American woman known for her role in the Dred Scott case
Explore More Harriet Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Harriet"
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 "Harriet"
"Harriet" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 4291st of 7545 | 52 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4100th of 6773 | 52 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 5937th of 7552 | 17 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 120th of 9107 | 37,128 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 157th of 9204 | 25,257 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 330th of 12526 | 13,890 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1031st of 19264 | 1,931 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2788th of 27321 | 631 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 3150th of 35406 | 791 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1196th of 30306 | 2,447 |
Regional Popularity of "Harriet" by Generation for Male 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) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Harriet" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
6.29% 89th/1416 |
6.45% 89th/1379 |
10.06% 238th/2366 |
10.25% 117th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
9.06% 140th/1546 |
6.62% 103rd/1556 |
10.41% 245th/2353 |
12.22% 189th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
17.69% 394th/2227 |
10.16% 247th/2430 |
10.62% 303rd/2853 |
17.77% 493rd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
42.39% 1245th/2937 |
24.83% 865th/3483 |
23.48% 826th/3518 |
42.43% 1716th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
54.21% 2426th/4475 |
59.49% 3090th/5194 |
64.83% 4095th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
61.55% 2820th/4582 |
55.17% 2849th/5164 |
63.71% 4659th/7313 |
48.73% 3637th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
21.29% 848th/3984 |
23.49% 1054th/4487 |
23.50% 1603rd/6822 |
20.43% 1282nd/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Harriet"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Harriet" 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.