'archibald' originates from Old High German/Germanic personal-name elements, specifically the elements 'ercan' (or 'ercho/erch') meaning 'genuine, precious' or 'real' and 'bald' meaning 'bold, brave'.

'archibald' changed from early medieval Germanic personal names such as 'Erchanbald' or 'Erchenbald', passed into Old French/Anglo-Norman forms and Middle English, and eventually became the modern English/Scots personal name 'Archibald'.

Initially it combined elements meaning 'genuine/precious' and 'bold' (a descriptive compound); over time it ceased to be interpreted literally and became used primarily as a personal name and surname.