Harding
Originally a patronymic from Hardy or from compound given names with the Germanic element *hard (“hard”).
Every Harding since 1913 — 1,123 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Harding
Harding is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #12,697 in 2025 with 5 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1913, 1,123 American babies have been named Harding. Its peak came in 1921, when 235 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Harding stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Harding year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | #12,697 |
| 2024 | 10 | #7,959 |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | 7 | #10,104 |
| 2020 | 7 | #9,929 |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | 5 | #12,963 |
| 2016 | 6 | #11,213 |
| 2015 | 6 | #11,184 |
| 2014 | 5 | #12,744 |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | 6 | #11,291 |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | 6 | #11,138 |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | 10 | #2,681 |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | 6 | #3,665 |
| 1950 | 12 | #2,260 |
| 1945 | 14 | #1,884 |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | 5 | #3,874 |
| 1930 | 8 | #3,134 |
| 1925 | 11 | #2,659 |
| 1920 | 229 | #391 |
| 1915 | 8 | #2,932 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Harding mean?
Originally a patronymic from Hardy or from compound given names with the Germanic element *hard (“hard”).
How popular is the name Harding in 2025?
Harding ranked #12,697 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 5 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Harding?
1,123 babies have been named Harding in the United States since 1913, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Harding most popular?
Harding peaked in 1921, when 235 newborns received the name.
Is Harding a boy or girl name?
Harding is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Harding rising or falling?
Harding is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.