Harriet
/ˈhær.i.ət/noun
A female given name, originally a French form of Henry.
Did you know?Harriet ultimately comes from the Germanic elements *haimaz* (“home”) and *rīkijaz* (“ruler, powerful”), so the name carries an ancient meaning of household power and authority.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*haimaz + *rīkijaz
““home” + “ruler, powerful””
Old High German
OHG
Heimirich
“a personal name meaning “home-ruler””
Old French
OF
Henri
“French form of the name Henry”
Middle English
ME
Herry / Harry
“English forms of Henry used as personal names”
Modern English
English
Harriet
“A feminine given name formed from Harry/Henry”