Harding is a unique and distinguished given name of English origin. It is derived from the surname Harding, which has an occupational history. The surname was originally given to someone who worked as a park keeper or custodian in charge of maintaining public parks and gardens.
The name Harding is believed to have originated from the Old English word "hard," which means "strong" or "firm." This could suggest that those bearing this name were seen as robust, reliable, or steadfast individuals. However, it's important to note that there is no definitive evidence supporting this etymology.
There is a notable historical figure named Harding who served as the Roman Emperor from 152 to 154 AD. His name was Publius Aelius Hadrianus, often shortened to Hadrianus, which eventually became Harding through various linguistic changes and corruptions over time.
Despite its occupational origins and possible etymological associations with strength or firmness, there is no widely accepted meaning or symbolism attributed to the given name Harding. Its usage as a first name appears to be quite rare, with most instances found in historical records rather than contemporary ones.
In terms of popularity, Harding has never been a particularly common name. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, only 28 boys were named Harding between 1970 and 2015. This scarcity may contribute to its unique appeal for those who choose this name for their children.
In conclusion, Harding is an uncommon yet distinctive given name with roots in English occupational history and possible etymological associations with strength or firmness. While it does not have any widely recognized meanings or symbols attached to it, its rarity can make it an attractive choice for parents seeking a unique and meaningful name for their child.
Based on the statistics provided for the name Harding in the United States over the years, we can observe several trends:
From 1913 to 1956, the number of babies named Harding fluctuated significantly. The peak year was 1920 with a total of 229 births, while the lowest point occurred in 1925 with only 11 births.
After 1956, there seemed to be a decline in popularity for this name. Between 1957 and 1969, the number of Harding babies born each year ranged from 5 to 10.
There was another spike in popularity between 1982 and 2006, with six births occurring during those years. This pattern continued until recently, as there were also six births recorded in 2012, 2015, and 2016.
More recently, the name Harding has seen a slight increase in popularity again, with seven births each in 2020 and 2021. This suggests that while it may not be one of the most popular names today, Harding remains present among baby names chosen by parents in the United States.
In total, there have been 1,108 babies named Harding born in the United States since these records began.