Harriet

Meaning: Ruler of the home
Origin: Variant of Henry (from Germanic)

Nicknames: Harry, Hattie, Hallie, Hassie, Hally

Girl's name · #1073 in the US (2025) · Timeless

Popularity over time

Harriet holds its lane: charted since 1880 and rarely far from where it stands today (#1073 in 2025). About 90,000 girls have carried it along the way. In all that time it has never once missed a year of the national records.

Across the states

In recent years, Harriet ran about 6× its national rate in Minnesota.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 20 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Harriet ranks in other countries and regions.

#53 in Australia (VIC) (2025) · #56 in New Zealand (2025) · #59 in England & Wales (2025) · #81 in Australia (QLD) (2025) · #91 in Australia (NSW) (2025) · #143 in Scotland (2025) · #183 in N. Ireland (2025) · #207 in Sweden (2025) · #234 in Ireland (2025) · #290 in Norway (2025) · #811 in Canada (2024).

Famous Harriets

Harriet Beecher Stowe — American abolitionist and author (1811–1896)
Harriet Tubman — African-American abolitionist (1822–1913)
Harriet Martineau — English writer and sociologist (1802–1876)
Harriet Taylor Mill — British philosopher (1807–1858)
Harriet Lane — First Lady of the United States from 1857 to 1861

In stories & tradition

Harriet Jones — Doctor Who (TV series)
Harriet Cooper^it — Batman (TV series)
Harriet Vane — Strong Poison (book)

What Harriets become

Among 771 notable people named Harriet:

Artists & writers appear 2.02× more often than among typical names — e.g. Harriet Beecher Stowe, American abolitionist and author (1811–1896).

Spellings & nicknames

About 1,600 girls a year are given Hallie as their full name, 800 Hattie, and 340 boys Harry.

Similar names: Hattie · Lenora · Aarya · Rae · Aries · Addie

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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