Harrison
/ˈhæɹ.ɪ.sən/
Harrison is an English patronymic surname-derived given name, meaning “son of Harry,” where Harry is the medieval English form of Henry.
Henry derives from the Old High German Heimirich, composed of heim, meaning “home,” and ric, meaning “power” or “ruler.” The name therefore carries the layered meaning of “son of the ruler of the home” through its etymological chain.
Harrison is strongly associated with American presidential history. William Henry Harrison (1773-1841) was the 9th President of the United States, serving the shortest presidency in US history at 31 days before dying of pneumonia.
What the name Harrison means
His grandson Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901) became the 23rd President. The name thus has a direct and notable connection to American political heritage spanning the 19th century.
As a first name, Harrison gained momentum in the United States from the 1990s onward, fitting the surname-as-first-name trend.
Harrison Ford (born 1942), the American actor known for roles in the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises, is the most globally recognized contemporary bearer of the name. His decades of screen visibility contributed to the name’s appeal.
By 2020, Harrison ranked in the top 150 for boys in the United States and showed similar strength in Australia and the United Kingdom.
The name carries associations with American presidential heritage, Hollywood prominence, and the authority of English patronymic surnames. Its 3-syllable structure gives it a formal but accessible character.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Harrison
Harrison - similar names
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