Howard
Howard is a boys' name of English origin meaning “high guardian.”
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how do you pronounce Howard?
HOW-erd
where does the name Howard come from?
Probably from the Norse Háavarðr, from há, high, and varðr, guardian; in some cases it is a variant of Heward, from Huard.
Howard derives from multiple sources: the Old English 'heah' (high) and 'weard' (guardian), or the Old Norse 'Haward' (high guard). The Howard family was one of England's most powerful noble dynasties. While it peaked in the early 20th century, Howard is ripe for revival as vintage names cycle back into fashion.
how popular is this name?
Howard has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 139 years since 1880, and fell outside it for 3. It peaked at #24 in 1919, and ranked #937 in 2021.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2021 | #937 |
| 2019 | #984 |
| 2018 | #975 |
| 2017 | #996 |
| 2016 | #901 |
| 2014 | #986 |
| 2012 | #983 |
| 2010 | #894 |
| 2000 | #664 |
| 1990 | #403 |
| 1980 | #242 |
| 1970 | #156 |
| 1960 | #108 |
| 1950 | #63 |
| 1940 | #45 |
| 1930 | #31 |
| 1920 | #24 |
| 1919 | #24 |
| 1910 | #27 |
| 1900 | #35 |
| 1890 | #40 |
| 1880 | #44 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Howard fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Howard
Its use as a first name is fairly recent, owing much to its being the name of several noble families.
who are famous people named Howard?
- Howard Hughes (American business magnate, aviator, and filmmaker)
- Howard Carter (British archaeologist who discovered Tutankhamun's tomb)
what are the nicknames and variants of Howard?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Howard?
what names go well with Howard?
Sibling names that share Howard's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Howard
What does the name Howard mean?
Howard means “high guardian”.
What is the origin of the name Howard?
Howard comes from the English naming tradition. Related forms include Heward and Huard.
How popular is the name Howard?
Howard ranked #937 in the US in 2021, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1919, at #24, and it has spent 139 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Howard a boy or girl name?
Howard is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Howard?
Howard is pronounced HOW-erd, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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