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

Popularity of Harriett by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Harriett is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 14 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Harriett.

The history of the first name Harriett

The name Harriett is derived from the Germanic elements "hari" meaning army and "vid" meaning wide or battle. It originated as a masculine name in the Middle Ages, a variant spelling of Harry or Henry. The earliest record of the feminine form dates back to the 16th century in England.

Harriett was a popular Puritan name in the 17th century, embraced for its meaning of "ruler of the household." It appeared in William Shakespeare's play "The Merry Wives of Windsor" in 1602, where a character named Mistress Quickly refers to a "pretty Harriett."

One of the earliest notable bearers was Harriett Mordaunt (1648-1720), an English peeress and literary patron. In the 18th century, Harriett Smithson (1800-1854) was a famous Irish actress and the first wife of composer Hector Berlioz.

Harriett Beecher Stowe (1811-1896) was an American abolitionist and author whose novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin" played a significant role in fueling the anti-slavery movement. Harriett Tubman (1822-1913) was an American abolitionist, political activist, and Underground Railroad conductor who helped enslaved people escape to freedom.

In the 20th century, Harriett Quimby (1875-1912) was an early American aviator and the first woman to fly across the English Channel. Harriett Woods (1927-2007) was a pioneering African-American nurse and activist who played a crucial role in desegregating hospitals in the United States.

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 Harriett was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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