'Archibald' originates from Old High German, specifically the word 'Erkanbald' (also attested as 'Erchanbald' or 'Erchambald'), where 'ercan' (or 'erkan') meant 'genuine, precious' and 'bald' meant 'bold' or 'brave'.

'Archibald' changed through Old French forms such as 'Archambault' and Medieval Latin 'Archimbaldus' before becoming the modern English 'Archibald'.

Initially it meant 'genuine-bold' (a compound describing qualities of a person); over time it evolved into a hereditary personal name and surname with the same core connotations but primarily used as a proper name.