Find out how popular the first name Harland has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Harland by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Harland is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 98% of people named Harland being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 45 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Harland.

The history of the first name Harland

The name Harland has its origins in the Old English language, deriving from the words "here" meaning army and "land" meaning land or territory. This suggests that the name was initially used to refer to someone who owned or controlled a significant amount of land or territory, or perhaps a military commander or landowner.

The earliest recorded usage of the name Harland dates back to the 11th century in England, where it appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a surname. During the Middle Ages, the name was primarily used as a surname, and its use as a given name didn't become widespread until the 16th and 17th centuries.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the first name Harland was Harland Wolff, an Irish naval architect and engineer who lived from 1860 to 1924. He is best known for his work on the construction of the RMS Titanic and other famous ships built by Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Another notable figure was Harland David Sanders, better known as Colonel Sanders, the founder of the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) restaurant chain. He was born in 1890 and passed away in 1980. Sanders is widely recognized for his iconic white suit and goatee, as well as his successful franchising of KFC.

In the world of literature, Harland Miller is a contemporary British artist and writer, known for his satirical reimaginings of classic book covers. He was born in 1964 and continues to create thought-provoking works that blend art and literature.

Harland Bartholomew, an American urban planner and civil engineer, made significant contributions to the field of city planning in the early 20th century. He lived from 1889 to 1989 and was instrumental in developing comprehensive plans for numerous cities across the United States.

Harland Ellison, a prolific American writer and critic, was born in 1934 and passed away in 2018. He is renowned for his work in the science fiction and fantasy genres, winning numerous awards including multiple Hugos, Nebulas, and Edgars for his influential short stories and novels.

While the name Harland has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, these notable individuals have left a lasting impact in their respective fields, highlighting the diverse backgrounds and achievements associated with this name of Old English origin.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Harland was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Harland, please contact us.

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