Harvard Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Harvard has its roots in Old English, originating from the surname Hereward, meaning 'army guard'. Over time, it evolved into its current form and is closely linked to the prestigious Harvard University, founded in the 17th century. The name is associated with traits of intelligence and academic achievement, but it does not have biblical relevance.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Harvard"
Pronunciation
/ˈhɑːrvərd/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Harvard is derived from the Old English surname 'Hereward', meaning 'army guard'. It is often associated with John Harvard, a benefactor of Harvard University.
Meaning
army guard
Language Evolution
Hereward (Old English), Harvard (Middle English)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the 17th century, particularly due to John Harvard's legacy in founding Harvard University in 1636.
Variants & Derivatives
Harv, Harvie
Modern Popularity & Image
Harvard is widely recognized as a prestigious name, often associated with academic excellence and elite educational standards.
Famous People
John Harvard, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Barack Obama
📊 Harvard Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Harvard Name Visualizations
✨ Harvard Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 27 peak births in 1915
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in New York
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 "Harvard"
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 "Harvard"
"Harvard" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2074th of 7545 | 242 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2167th of 6773 | 217 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3679th of 7552 | 89 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 8050th of 10718 | 17 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 15579th of 16616 | 6 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 22675th of 24088 | 6 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 15145th of 23106 | 27 |
Regional Popularity of "Harvard" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
78.86% 1227th/1556 |
- | - |
| 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 "Harvard" 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 "Harvard"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Harvard" 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 "Harvard" in the United States
The name Harvard is most popular in New York, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Silent Generation 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, Harvard has been stalled for male in Northeast. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in Northeast. Across generations, 'Harvard' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2074th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2167th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3679th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 8050th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 15579th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 22675th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 15145th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Harvard' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.