| Meaning | ruler of the home |
| Origin | English, German |
| Gender | Girl |
| Popularity | Moderate |
| Length | 7 |
| Syllables | 3 |
| Syllabification | Har-ri-et |
About Harriet
Harriet stands as a testament to enduring classical naming traditions, carrying centuries of dignified history within its syllables. This name belonged to trailblazers, intellectuals, and women of substance who left indelible marks on history. There's an unmistakable literary and aristocratic quality to Harriet that appeals to parents valuing heritage and gravitas. The name resists fleeting trends, instead offering timeless sophistication that ages beautifully from childhood through distinguished adulthood. Harriet provides wonderful nickname possibilities—Hattie, Hettie, Harry—allowing personality expression while maintaining formal elegance. In an era dominated by invented names and creative spellings, Harriet offers refreshing authenticity and proven staying power. The name suggests intelligence, determination, and integrity, qualities that transcend generational preferences and cultural shifts.
Nicknames for Harriet
| Harry |
| Hattie |
| Hetta |
| Ettie |
| Harri |
Famous People Named Harriet
| Harriet Beecher Stowe | American author and abolitionist |
| Harriet Tubman | American abolitionist and political activist |
| Harriet Quimby | The first American woman to obtain a pilot's license |
| Harriet Walter | British actress |
| Harriet Sansom Harris | American actress |
| Harriet Smithson | Irish Shakespearean actress who inspired the symphony "Symphonie fantastique" by Hector Berlioz |
| Harriet Lane | Acting First Lady of the United States |
| Harriet Nelson | American actress and singer |
| Harriet Prescott Spofford | American writer and poet |
| Harriet Boyd Hawes | American archaeologist and the first woman to direct an excavation in Greece |
| Harriet Shaw Weaver | English political activist and editor |
| Harriet Cohen | British pianist |
| Harriet Andersson | Swedish actress |
| Harriet Martineau | English writer and philosopher |
| Harriet Backer | Norwegian painter |
| Harriet Stratemeyer Adams | American publisher and author |
| Harriet Doerr | American novelist |
| Harriet E. Wilson | The first African-American woman to publish a novel in the United States |
| Harriet Jacobs | African-American writer and abolitionist |
| Harriet Harman | British politician |
Characters Named Harriet
| Harriet M. Welsch | From "Harriet the Spy" by Louise Fitzhugh |
| Harriet Smith | From Jane Austen's novel "Emma" |
| Harriet Vane | From Dorothy L. Sayers' mystery novels |
| Harriet Tubman Brown | From Colson Whitehead's novel "The Underground Railroad" |
| Harriet Henderson | From the movie "The Parent Trap" |
| Harriet Potter | From the fanfiction "Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality" by Eliezer Yudkowsky |
| Harriet Welsh | From the TV series "Moesha" |
| Harriet Burden | From the novel "The Blazing World" by Siri Hustvedt |
| Harriet Brindle | From the TV series "Small Wonder" |
| Harriet Oleson | From the TV series "Little House on the Prairie" |
| Harriet Cooperman | From the TV series "The Big Bang Theory" |
| Harriet Dunkley | From the TV series "Secret City" |
| Harriet Frankovitz | From the movie "Serial Mom" |
| Harriet Dowdell | From the movie "White Chicks" |
| Harriet Winslow | From the TV series "Family Matters" |
| Harriet the Spy | From the movie "Harriet the Spy" |
| Harriet Peterson | From the TV series "My So-Called Life" |
| Harriet Pickles | From the movie "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" |
| Harriet Hubbard | From the movie "Freaky Friday" |