2 syllables: Har, ald. Stress on Har.
HAH-ruhld
/ˈhɑɹəld/
Harald is pronounced HAH-ruhld (/ˈhɑɹəld/). It has two syllables (Har-ald), with the stress on "Har". Harald is a male given name of Scandinavian origin, used in several European languages. It is typically pronounced with two syllables and a final soft consonant, and may vary slightly by language. The name carries historical weight (e.g., rulers named Harald) and is commonly encountered in academic, genealogical, and historical contexts.
nounHarald is a male given name of Scandinavian origin, used in several European languages. It is typically pronounced with two syllables and a final soft consonant, and may vary slightly by language. The name carries historical weight (e.g., rulers named Harald) and is commonly encountered in academic, genealogical, and historical contexts.
"Harald led the expedition with a calm, strategic mind."
"We studied the saga about Harald and his voyages."
"In ancient records, the king is often referred to as Harald the Great."
Harald is pronounced with two syllables: HAR-ald. In US English this typically sounds like /ˈhær.əld/ or /ˈhɑːr. əld/ with a schwa in the second syllable. The first syllable carries the main stress; the second is lighter. Tip: end with a soft “ld” combining a dark L and a light D. Reference audio you can compare: native speakers via Forvo orPronounce.
Common errors include turning the first vowel into a pure /æ/ or /ɑː/ without a reduced second syllable, and pronouncing the final /ld/ as a separate cluster or as /l/ without the light /d/. Also, some speakers omit the second syllable’s schwa, making it a single-syllable HAR-ld. Correction: keep /ˈhær.əld/ with a relaxed /ə/ in the second syllable and fuse /l/ and /d/ without a strong pause.
In US English, /ˈhær.əld/ with a more pronounced /æ/ and a lighter /ə/ in the second syllable. UK English often has a shorter /æ/ and a slightly clearer /ə/. Australian English aligns with UK tendencies but may show broader vowel quality in /æ/ and a more pronounced final /d/. All share two syllables but vary vowel length and rhoticity influences.
The difficulty arises from two factors: the reduced second syllable /ə/ and the final nasal-light /ld/ cluster. Some languages don’t reduce unstressed syllables, causing an overpronounced /ɚ/ or /ə/ or a heavy /ld/ blend. Also, the initial /h/ followed by a lax /æ/ can be mispronounced as /eɪ/ or /æɪ/. Focus on a smooth, two-syllable rhythm with a light, quick /ld/.
A distinctive feature is balancing the primary stress on the first syllable while producing a soft, drifting second syllable. Some searchers ask whether the name’s ending is /ld/ or /ldʰ/; the correct load is /ld/ with a lightly attached /d/. Another distinctive query is whether the name is pronounced closer to ‘Harry-ald’ or ‘Har-ald’; the correct is HAR-əld, not Harry-ald.
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- US: rhotic /r/ and a more open front vowel in /æ/, producing /ˈhær.əld/. Pay attention to a clearer schwa in the second syllable and a light /d/ at the end. - UK: slightly shorter /æ/ with crisper /ə/; the /r/ is non-rhotic; you’ll often hear /ˈhæ.rəld/ or /ˈhær.əld/ depending on regional variation. - AU: similar to UK but with slightly broader vowels; maintain two-syllable rhythm and a softer final /d/. - IPA references: US /ˈhær.əld/, UK /ˈhæ.əld/ or /ˈhær.əld/ depending on speaker, AU /ˈhæːɹɔːld/ could appear in some dialects.
Harald derives from Old Norse Haraldr, composed of the elements har(ð) meaning ‘army, warrior’ and word element auðr meaning ‘leader, ruler’ or possibly ‘lord.’ The Proto-Germanic root harjaz contributed to Germanic warrior names, evolving into Haraldr in Old Norse, Harold in Old English, and Harald in various Scandinavian languages. The name’s connotation of leadership and warrior status is consistent across its history. First attested in medieval Norse sagas and royal annals, Harald appears in many lineages and chronicles, signaling prominent rulers who bore the name, such as Harald Bluetooth and Harald Fairhair. Over time, spelling variants diverged by region (Harald, Harold, Haraldr), while pronunciation shifted with language change: Norse-influenced Scandinavia preserved two syllables with a heavier initial stress; English-speaking regions adapted to English phonotactics, and modern usage often retains the traditional Norse root while adjusting vowels and final consonants to fit local phonology. In contemporary usage, Harald remains a formal, historically resonant given name, particularly in Nordic countries and in genealogical contexts worldwide.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Harald" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Harald" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Harald"
-ard sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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