Harding

Meaning of Harding

Harding is a masculine given name of Old English origin, derived from the elements “hard,” meaning strong or hardy, and the patronymic suffix “-ing,” which originally denoted “son of” or “belonging to.” Pronounced HAHR-ding (/ˈhɑrdɪŋ/), the name has long carried connotations of resilience and steadfastness. Its most notable bearer, President Warren G. Harding, ensured the name’s entry into the American consciousness in the early twentieth century. Although never among the most common choices, Harding saw modest usage in states such as North Carolina, where it ranked between 111 and 136 for newborn boys from 1920 to 1923, peaking at 25 occurrences in 1921. Today it remains a distinctive option, evoking both historical depth and a sense of dependable strength.