Haraldr

Haraldr is the Old Norse form of the given name Harald. It appears in medieval Norse texts and royal genealogies, and it forms the historical basis for various modern variants across Scandinavian languages. In English, the corresponding form is Harold, while Icelandic and Norwegian often use Harald today.

Etymology and meaning: The name is commonly interpreted as a compound meaning “army ruler” or “ruler of the army,” derived from elements associated with power and military force in Old Norse and related Germanic languages. The form Haraldr is the historical, linguistic ancestor of these later names.

Notable bearers: Notable historical bearers of the name in its Old Norse form include Haraldr hárfagri (Harald Fairhair), the semi-legendary first king of Norway; Haraldr Bluetooth (Harald Bluetooth), the Danish king who is credited with uniting Denmark; and Haraldr Hardráde (Harald Hardrada), a Norwegian king who led an invasion of England and died at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066. These figures are prominent in Norse sagas and medieval chronologies, and they helped shape the modern reception of the name.

Modern usage and context: In contemporary Scandinavia, the modern forms Harald or Haraldur are common, while the English form Harold remains widely used in Anglophone countries. The Old Norse form Haraldr is predominantly encountered in historical writing, saga literature, and discussions of Norse onomastics.

See also: Harald (given name).