How to say it
HAR · ri · son
ˈhɛr.ɪ.sən
Masculine
Harrison
Son of Harry
What it means
English surname meaning 'son of Harry' (Harry being a medieval short for Henry). Two US presidents (William Henry and Benjamin Harrison) and George Harrison the Beatle anchor the surname.
Harrison is an English surname meaning 'son of Harry' (Harry as the medieval short for Henry). The surname has presidential lineage in the US: William Henry Harrison (9th president, served one month) and his grandson Benjamin Harrison (23rd president). George Harrison gave the surname rock-and-roll anchor as the quiet Beatle. Harrison Ford gave it Hollywood currency through Indiana Jones and Han Solo. As a first name Harrison emerged in earnest in the late 20th century with the broader masculine surname-first wave. It's been in the US top 200 since 2003. Harry is the standard short (also given as a standalone, complicating the pattern).
How to spell Harrison
The standard spelling is Harrison. Common variants include Harris, Harrison, but Harrison is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #52 in 1888, currently #116 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Harry is the standard short. Some families use Harrison formally and Harry daily; others give Harry directly. Worth deciding at birth.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- George Harrison The Beatles' lead guitarist (Harrison as surname)
- Harrison Ford American actor, Han Solo and Indiana Jones
- William Henry Harrison 9th US president, served one month before dying of pneumonia in 1841
Spelling variants
- Harris
- Harrison
Names with the same feeling
See Harrison from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Harrison mean?
- English surname meaning 'son of Harry' (Harry being a medieval short for Henry). Two US presidents (William Henry and Benjamin Harrison) and George Harrison the Beatle anchor the surname.
- What does Harrison mean in Old English?
- In Old English, Harrison means "Son of Harry." Harrison is an English surname meaning 'son of Harry' (Harry as the medieval short for Henry). The surname has presidential lineage in the US: William Henry Harrison (9th president, served one month) and his grandson Benjamin Harrison (23rd president). George Harrison gave the surname rock-and-roll anchor as the quiet Beatle. Harrison Ford gave it Hollywood currency through Indiana Jones and Han Solo. As a first name Harrison emerged in earnest in the late 20th century with the broader masculine surname-first wave. It's been in the US top 200 since 2003. Harry is the standard short (also given as a standalone, complicating the pattern).
- How do you pronounce Harrison?
- Harrison is pronounced ˈhɛr.ɪ.sən. Say it as HAR-ri-son, with the stress on the "har" syllable.
- How do you spell Harrison?
- The standard spelling is Harrison. Common spelling variants include Harris, Harrison.
- Is Harrison a boy or girl name?
- Harrison is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Harrison?
- Harrison ranked #116 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.