Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Archibald

Archibald is the modern English and Scottish form of an Old High German name Ercanbald, derived from the elements “ercan” meaning “genuine” and “bald” meaning “bold”. In medieval Europe, the name’s meaning was meant to signify the strength and solidity of one’s Christian faith. The name was later altered with the Greek prefix “archos” (αρχος) meaning “master”. The Norman French brought the name to England after the Conquest of 1066 where it proved most popular among the Scots (particularly the clans Campbell and Douglas). One of the most famous name bearers is Archibald Leach, the birth name of actor Cary Grant (1904-1986). Archibald is no longer a fashionable name, but its diminutive Archie is surprisingly popular in England and Scotland today.

All About the Baby Name – Archibald

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME ARCHIBALD

The number Four personality is marked by stability and discipline. This is the personality that follows the rules and is conservative by nature.  They have an earth-bound energy that prefers to build things methodically on top of firm foundations; they don't cut corners. Fours take their time and don't like to be hurried. But the outcome of their endeavors is likely to result in some strong and useful structure, which makes them great engineers and inventors. Fours are anything but frivolous or controversial. This is a trustworthy, straight-forward personality that embodies dedication and organization. They are the backbone and anchor in their relationships, careers and communities. They are tidy, punctual, and full of integrity. Hard-work comes naturally to a Four and they are immensely reliable. This is the personality you can always count on.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME ARCHIBALD

Archibald dates back to at least the 19th century on the American male naming charts. At the end of the 1800s it was used with low-moderation. The name quickly went out of style as we turned into the 20th century and 1925 marks the last year old Archibald can claim Top 1000 status. In the year 2012, Archibald was only bestowed on 33 baby boys in the country. In 2008 the very funny Amy Poehler and her then-husband Will Arnett named their first son Archibald (although they call him Archie for short).

Quick Facts

ON ARCHIBALD

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

3

RANKING POPULARITY:

N/A

PRONUNCIATION:

AHR-chə-bawld

SIMPLE MEANING:

Genuine and Bold

Characteristics

OF ARCHIBALD

Dependable

Solid

Practical

Hard-working

Industrious

Studious

Conservative

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Archibald

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME ARCHIBALD

Archie is the eponymous star of the Archie comic book series which was created by Vic Bloom and Bob Montana in 1941, and enjoys continued popularity in the present day. The perpetually seventeen-year old red-headed average American teenager, Archie goes about the mundane drama of his everyday life with cheerful abandon. He is the only child in a middle class family in the little town of Riverdale; he goes to high school, plays sports, hangs out with his friends, drives a jalopy, goes to the soda shop and falls for almost every girl he meets – especially Veronica and Betty. Did we say “average American teenager”? Wellll, maybe seventy years ago! Archie is a refreshing reminder of a time before smart phones and smart mouths.

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME ARCHIBALD

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Archibald


Popular Songs

ON ARCHIBALD

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Archibald


Famous People

NAMED ARCHIBALD

Archibald Leach (birth name of actor Cary Grant)
Archibald Roosevelt (son of Theodore Roosevelt, WWII hero) Archibald "Archie" Manning III (football player, father of Peyton and Eli)
Archibald (13th century Scottish bishop of Moray)
Archibald (musician)
Archibald Cameron of Locheil (leader of the Jacobite uprising)
Archibald Joseph "A.J." Cronin (Scottish author)
Archibald MacLeish (American poet/writer)
Archibald Tait (former archbishop of Canterbury)
Archibald Hill (Nobel Prize winner, medicine)
Archibald Cox (former U.S. Solisitor General under JFK)
Archibald (the name of several Scottish noblemen since the Middle Ages)

Children of Famous People

NAMED ARCHIBALD

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Archibald

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME ARCHIBALD

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Archibald