What Does the Name Harriet Mean?

Harriet is a girl's name of English origin meaning “home-ruler.”

Updated June 2026

Name	Harriet
Gender	female
Origin	English
Meaning	home-ruler
Variants	Henrietta, Harriette, Hattie, Harriott, Harri
Popularity	A long-popular British name; much loved in the UK and seeing rising vintage interest in the US.

The meaning and origin of Harriet

The name Harriet means “home-ruler” and has English origins. The English feminine form of Harry, itself a medieval form of Henry, from the Germanic 'heim' (home) and 'ric' (ruler, power), giving 'home-ruler.' It was famously borne by abolitionist Harriet Tubman and author Harriet Beecher Stowe.

Variants and related names

Harriet is related to several other names you may recognize: Henrietta, Harriette, Hattie, Harriott, Harri. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.

How popular is the name Harriet?

A long-popular British name; much loved in the UK and seeing rising vintage interest in the US.

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