The story behind Harold
From a merger of Old English Hereweald and Old English Harold (itself from Old Norse Haraldr), both from Proto-Germanic *Harjawaldaz, from *harjaz (“army”) + *waldaz (“ruler, authority”). Related to Walter, which has the elements reversed. Cognate with Danish, Norwegian Nynorsk, and Swedish Harald, Faroese and Icelandic Haraldur.
Pronunciation
General-American, without the Mary–marry–merry merger: /ˈhæɹəld/
Regional pronunciation variants
- General American, Mary–marry–merry merger: /ˈhɛɹəld/
- Scotland, Wales: /ˈhaɾəld/
Popularity
Harold ranked #993 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Harold
Alfred
From Middle English Alfred, from Old English Ælfrǣd, from ælf (“elf”) + rǣd (“counsel”). Doublet of Alfredo and Avery. Equivalent to elf + rede. The modern pronunciation with…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- same syllable count
- similar length
Ashland
From Old English æsċ (“ash tree”) + land, equivalent to ash + land. Many places in the United States are named after Ashland, Henry Clay's estate.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- same syllable count
- similar length
Clifford
From Old English clif (“cliff”) + ford (“ford”), a dweller at the ford by the steep bank.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- same syllable count
- similar length
Éadbhard
From English Edward, from Old English Ēadweard.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- same syllable count
- similar length
Edmond
A male given name from Old English, a French style variant of Edmund.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- same syllable count
- similar length
Edmund
From Old English Ēadmund, from ēad (“prosperity”) + mund (“protection”). Doublet of Eamon. Borrowed from English Edmund, from Old English Ēadmund, from ēad + mund. Derived…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Harold
Aake
From Old Norse Áki, probably via Old Swedish [Term?] or Old Danish [Term?]. It has also been used as a nickname for several names beginning with A, such as Aarne, Akseli,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Aethelred
Learned borrowing from Old English Æþelræd, Æðelred, from æþele (“noble”) + rǣd (“counsel, advice”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Åke
From Old Norse Áki, diminutive of Proto-Norse *ᚨᚾᚢᛉ (*anuʀ, “ancestor”), from Proto-Germanic *anô (as in the first part of the name Olaf). By folk etymology sometimes…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Harold
Aake
From Old Norse Áki, probably via Old Swedish [Term?] or Old Danish [Term?]. It has also been used as a nickname for several names beginning with A, such as Aarne, Akseli,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Airi
Invented at the end of the 19th century, either from airut (“herald”), or from place names like Airisto, Airikka (both also found as surnames), Airiselkä, at least some of them…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends I
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Alden
From Old English Ealdwine, from eald (“old”) + wine (“friend”); equivalent to Alwin. In some cases a variant of Haldane.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length