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Harriet

Girl name · 773 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Harriet: 773 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 40 births in 2019.

Harriet is the English feminine form of Harry, which itself derives from Henry, ultimately from the Germanic name Heinrich, meaning "home ruler" or "ruler of the household." One of its most celebrated bearers was Harriet Tubman, the courageous American abolitionist and political activist who led countless enslaved people to freedom via the Underground Railroad. Another is Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of the influential anti-slavery novel *Uncle Tom's Cabin*. There is no major place directly named after a Harriet, though the name shares its root with countless towns and royal sites founded by rulers named Henry. A charming Scottish association is the historic Snuffie Harriet sweet, a traditional Edinburgh confection flavoured with cloves and cinnamon, often given to children.