Archibald is a distinctive boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #725 in 1997 with 22 recorded births. This places Archibald in the top 19% of ranked UK boys' names for the year. Its actual usage is classified as Uncommon. The name reached its all-time peak in 2025 with 123 births ranking #346. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 29.4%. In 1997, approximately 1 in every 14,293 boys born was named Archibald. RISING Recent data shows the name is currently rising.
Archibald is an old Germanic name with a bold, stately feel. It is usually explained as meaning something like "genuinely bold" or "precious and bold".
The name has long been used in Scotland and the wider British Isles, often in noble and family contexts. Although the full form is formal and historic, it survives warmly through the nickname Archie.