Is Harriet a boy's or girl's name?

Harriet is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 121 recorded births.

When was Harriet most popular?

Harriet reached its peak popularity in 1921 with 2,389 births that year. It is currently ranked #1157 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Harriet?

Harriet is currently ranked #1157 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 90,076 babies since 1880.

Harriet

An uncommon German pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysGermanDeclining Also a pet name

#1157▼ 27in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A female given name from the Germanic languages.

Harriet is a girl's and boy's baby name of Germanic origin, an English feminine form of Harry or Henry, from the French Henriette, derived from the Germanic elements meaning 'home ruler.'

Harriet Tubman — abolitionist, conductor of the Underground Railroad, and one of the most courageous figures in American history — gives this name extraordinary moral weight. Born Araminta Ross, she chose Harriet as her freedom name. The name is currently in a strong revival, particularly in the UK, as parents rediscover substantial Victorian names with genuine historical resonance.

Compare Harriet with another name

Popularity Over Time

Harriet climbed 3270 spots in the last 20 years — from #4427 to #1157.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Harriet
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	1,109	#1109	▼
2010s	1,570	#1647	▲
2000s	449	#3475	▲
1990s	345	#3383	▼
1980s	453	#2340	▼
1970s	851	#1411	▼
1960s	2,943	#608	▼
1950s	7,129	#328	▼
1940s	12,924	#182	—
1930s	13,692	#152	▼
1920s	20,873	#126	▲
1910s	15,598	#113	▲
1900s	4,600	#133	▲
1890s	4,171	#112	▲
1880s	3,369	#90	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Harriet
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	208	#1157	-7 (-3.3%)
2023	215	#1130	-2 (-0.9%)
2022	217	#1129	-22 (-9.2%)
2021	239	#1055	+9 (3.9%)
2020	230	#1076	-31 (-11.9%)
2019	261	#990	+13 (5.2%)
2018	248	#1040	+37 (17.5%)
2017	211	#1169	+36 (20.6%)
2016	175	#1356	-7 (-3.8%)
2015	182	#1307	+50 (37.9%)
2014	132	#1627	+3 (2.3%)
2013	129	#1649	+40 (44.9%)
2012	89	#2136	+2 (2.3%)
2011	87	#2178	+31 (55.4%)
2010	56	#3020	+1 (1.8%)
2009	55	#3106	+19 (52.8%)
2008	36	#4303	-25 (-41.0%)
2007	61	#2942	0
2006	61	#2865	+17 (38.6%)
2005	44	#3424	+13 (41.9%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Harriet as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Harriet has also been given to 121 boys in the U.S. since 1908.

Unranked

Current rank

121

Total births

1929

Peak year

Compare Harriet as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Harriet be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Harriet is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #1157. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Harriet has two lives

Harriet, the baby name

#1157girls

90,076 babies

Currently viewing

Harriet, the pet name

#1240pet name

90 pets

View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology