Archibald is a moderately popular boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #478 in 2012 with 80 recorded births. This places Archibald in the top 8% of ranked UK boys' names for the year. Its actual usage is classified as Moderately Popular. The name reached its all-time peak in 2025 with 123 births ranking #346. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 370.6%. In 2012, approximately 1 in every 4,355 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.