Arnold \a-rno-ld, ar-nold\ as a boy's name is pronounced AR-nold. It is of Old French and Old German origin, and the meaning of Arnold is "eagle ruler". From the phrase "arn wald". Brought to Britain with the Norman invasion, lost popularity after the 13th century, and briefly revived in the late 19th century. An early saint of this name was a musician at the court of Charlemagne. Rare today, perhaps because it has somewhat dorky connotations. Arnie is the pet form; the Catalan form Arnau is quite common in Catalonia, Spain. English novelist Arnold Bennett; golfer Arnold Palmer; actor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Arnold has 21 variant forms: Arend, Arn, Arnaldo, Arnau, Arnaud, Arnauld, Arnault, Arnd, Arndt, Arne, Arnel, Arnell, Arney, Arni, Arnie, Arno, Arnoldo, Arnot, Arnoud, Arnout and Arny.

A baby name that sounds like Arnold is Arnald.