Name meaning & stats
Harold
Harold means “army ruler” (Old English origin). 222,000 US babies since 1940, peak 1947. Notable Harolds are 1.9× over-represented as professors.
What it means
“army ruler”
Old EnglishWell documented
In US birth records
Peak year: 1947
222,000 US babies were named Harold between 1940 and 2025.
Where Harolds end up
| Career | vs expected | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Politician | 1.8× | High · 58 people |
| Professor | 1.9× | High · 41 people |
| Basketball player | 1.0× | Medium · 23 people |
| NFL-style footballer | 0.8× | Medium · 21 people |
Among notable men who are professors, Harolds show up 1.9× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.
Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.
One more thing…
Harold has a surprise career: 1.8×
Spelling family
Harold is the main spelling
- Harold 100%
- Harald <1%
- Harrold <1%
Names that sound the same, grouped by Heyotag. Share of US babies since 1940.
Name twins (peaked around 1947)