Harbor

♂ Boy

Pronounced HAR-bər /ˈhɑr.bər/High

Meaning: From the English word harbor — Old English herebeorg, 'army shelter' — safe haven made nameHigh

In 30 seconds: Anchorage included: Harbor is the safe-haven word — where ships rest and storms end. A son named shelter itself.

Origin HighEnglish

MeaningFrom the English word harbor — Old English herebeorg, 'army shelter' — safe haven made name

U.S. rank (2025)#3792 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births29 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2018

Total births (all-time)≈ 418

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

Harbor comes from Old English herebeorg, 'shelter (for a host)' — the refuge-for-ships word turned word-name in the Haven-Harbor wave.

It registers thinly in records. Rare, shelter at the root, and moored.

Did you know? Harbor began as Old English 'army shelter' — herebeorg — before settling into ports; the name promises refuge by etymology.

Overall data confidence 82%

Oxford English Dictionary — harbor — word origin

HarbourHarber

Harb

Haven— the twin refuge word-name

Banks— the waterside surname cousin

Honor— echoes that soft -or sound

Arbor— the same nature feel

Valor— shares Harbor's English roots

By meaningWarrior

What does the name Harbor mean?

Harbor is the English word for a ship's safe haven, from Old English 'army shelter'.

How do you pronounce Harbor?

It's said HAR-bər /ˈhɑr.bər/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Harbor a boy or girl name?

Harbor is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a boy's name.

How popular is Harbor?

Harbor is a very rare name in the U.S.