Find your type now Arrow Right
AboutQuiz
Search
Search
Advanced Search
  1. Home
  2. Baby Girl Names

Harriet

English variation of French Henriette
"estate ruler"
Linda Rosenkrantz
By Linda Rosenkrantz
Updated Mon Apr 22 2024

Harriet Origin and Meaning

The name Harriet is a girl's name of French, English origin meaning "estate ruler".

Harriet has long been considered a stylish, upscale name in England, but it's still waiting to be revived in the US—though some parents seeking a solid, serious semi-classic are beginning to consider it.

Distinguished namesakes include Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of the influential Uncle Tom's Cabin; Harriet Tubman (born Araminta), the famed abolitionist; and in pop culture, Harriet Hilliard Nelson, of Ozzie & Harriet TV fame. Many will associate it with the protagonist of the childhood classic Harriet the Spy. Harriet has appeared in other books ranging from Jane Austen's Emma to Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Harriet, a Top 100 name at the turn of the last century, hasn't appeared on the list since 1970. On the other hand, it is currently Number 61 in England and Wales.

Cutesy nicknames for Harriet include Hattie, Hetty, and Hatsy. A related idea: Henrietta.

# 983 in the US

Harriet Rank in US Top 1000

# 233 on Nameberry

Harriet Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Harriet Popularity

Famous People Named Harriet

  • Harriet Beecher StoweAmerican novelist
  • Harriet Nelson (born Peggy Louise Snyder)American singer and actress, wife of Ozzie Nelson
  • Harriet Tubman (born Araminta Ross)American abolitionist
  • Harriet Mary WalterEnglish actress
  • Harriet Ruth HarmanBritish Shadow Deputy Prime Minister
  • Harriet MartineauEnglish social theorist
  • Harriet Ellan Miers31st U.S. White House Counsel
  • Harriet Ann JacobsAmerican slave narrative author
  • Harriet Sansom HarrisAmerican actress
  • Harriet AnderssonSwedish actress
  • Harriet RobertsEnglish dance pop singer
  • Harriet Elizabeth Georgiana (Howard) SutherlandLeveson,Gower, Duchess of Sutherland, British Mistress of the Robes
  • Harriet SarahLady Mordaunt, Scottish divorcee of MP Charles Mordaunt and friend of King Edward VII
  • Harriet ArbuthnotEnglish diarist and friend of the Duke of Wellington
  • Harriet Hemingsdaughter of U.S. President Thomas Jefferson

Harriet in Pop Culture

  • Harriet ChetwodeTalbot, main character in film "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen"
  • Harriet Welschmain character in Louise Fitzhugh's "Harriet the Spy"
  • Harriet Jonescharacter on TV's "Doctor Who" and "Torchwood"
  • Harriet Vangercharacter in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
  • Harriet Smithcharacter in Jane Austen's "Emma"
  • Harriet Vanecharacter in Dorothy L. Sayers' "Gaudy Night"
  • Harriet Olesoncharacter on TV's "Little House on the Prairie"
  • Harriet Goodcharmcharacter on TV's "The Worst Witch"
  • Harriet "Harry" Watsonsister of Dr. John Watson on TV's "Sherlock"
  • Harriet Beadle "Tattycoram" character in Charles Dickens' "Little Dorrit"
  • Harriet Townsendcharacter in "Yesterday's Child" by Barbara Woo
  • Harriet Bentleycharacter in film "Wild Child"
  • Harriet Schulenburgcharacter on British TV's Green Wing"
  • Harriet Haywardcharacter on TV's "Twin Peaks"
  • Harrietdog character in children's books by Nancy Carlson
  • Harrietcharacter in "The Maze Runner" series
  • Harriet KepnerAvery, daughter of Dr. Jackson Avery and Dr. April Kepner on "Grey's Anatomy"
  • Mad Harrietvillain in DC Comics
  • Harriet Arkhamcharacter in Batman comics
  • Harriet Hydealter,ego in British TV series "Julia Jekyll and Harriet Hyde"
  • Harriet Mortoncharacter in Eva Ibbotson's novel "A Company of Swans"
  • Harriet SimsU.S. Navy officer in the TV show JAG
  • Harrietcharacter in the videogame “Super Mario Odyssey”
  • Harriet Turtle; Franklin's sister on TV's "Franklin the Turtle"
  • Harriet Davis. Character in the “Addy” book series from the American Girl collection
  • Harriet Brindlecharacter on “Small Wonder”