Archibald is a distinctive boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #621 in 1999 with 28 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2025 with 123 births ranking #346. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 64.7%. In 1999, approximately 1 in every 10,830 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.