All about the name

Harriett

Female

« Harriet is an English feminine given name derived from the German name Henry, meaning "home ruler" or "estate ruler". »

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Meaning, origin, history

Harriet is a feminine given name of English origin. It is derived from the German name Henry, which is composed of the elements "heim" meaning "home" and "ric" meaning "power". Therefore, Harriet means "home ruler" or "estate ruler". The name Harriet first appeared in England during the Middle Ages as a diminutive form of Henry. It was originally used for boys, but over time it became more commonly used for girls. Harriet has been a popular name throughout history. In the 19th century, some famous Harriets include Harriet Beecher Stowe, an American abolitionist and author of the novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin", and Harriet Martineau, a British sociologist and writer. More recently, Harriet Tubman, an African-American abolitionist and spy during the American Civil War, has become a prominent figure in American history. Despite its popularity throughout history, Harriet is not currently among the most popular names for girls in English-speaking countries. According to data from the Social Security Administration, Harriet ranked #916 in the United States in 2020. Overall, Harriet is a historic and meaningful name with a unique origin story that has been carried by notable figures throughout history.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Harriett since 1880

Total births
21,596
Total since 1880
Peak year
1920
585 births
in 2023
14
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
+60%
vs previous 5 years