Harriet

English variation of French Henriette

"estate ruler"

Updated Wed Nov 29 2023

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.

# in the US

Harriet Rank in US Top 1000

# 175 on Nameberry

Harriet Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Harriet Popularity

983US2019
175Nameberry2023
124Unique2022
648Future2028
63England2021
137Scotland2022
64Australia2022
52New Zealand2022

20 Names Similar to Harriet

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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”