Archibald is a distinctive boys' name in United States, ranking #5210 in 1996 with 11 recorded births. This places Archibald in the top 49% of ranked US boys' names for the year. Its actual usage is classified as Rare. The name reached its all-time peak in 2025 with 184 births ranking #1145. In 1996, approximately 1 in every 172,203 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.