Archibald is a distinctive boys' name in United States, ranking #5968 in 2011 with 14 recorded births. This places Archibald in the top 42% 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. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 27.3%. In 2011, approximately 1 in every 135,642 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.