Harriet

“Variant of Henry — Ruler of the home” — Germanic, via French Henriette origin

Girl's name · #1071 in the US (2025) · Timeless

Harriet has appeared in US records since 1880 — best rank #73 (1880) · 90,306 babies named Harriet all-time · 1 in 7,100 girls born in 2025.

Around the world: #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).

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

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
Harriet Cooper — Batman
Harriet Vane — Strong Poison · Have His Carcase

What Harriets become

Among 761 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).

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