Howard
Howard is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
High guardian or brave heart.
Origin and history
Howard is a classic masculine name derived from Germanic elements meaning brave heart or high guardian. It was introduced to England after the Norman Conquest and later became a prominent surname before gaining widespread use as a given name. Though it was extremely popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it is now chosen less frequently for American newborns.
Popularity in the United States
346,666 babies in the United States have been named Howard since 1880. It ranks #99 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #940.
States where it is most popular
- NY (11.4 %)
- PA (7.4 %)
- OH (5.6 %)
- IL (5.4 %)
- CA (4.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 4,349 |
| 1890-1900 | 5,949 |
| 1900-1910 | 8,014 |
| 1910-1920 | 46,596 |
| 1920-1930 | 70,348 |
| 1930-1940 | 51,495 |
| 1940-1950 | 53,530 |
| 1950-1960 | 47,852 |
| 1960-1970 | 28,703 |
| 1970-1980 | 12,980 |
| 1980-1990 | 7,052 |
| 1990-2000 | 3,915 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,477 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,111 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,295 |
Famous people named Howard
- Howard Hughes: Aviator, Industrialist
- Howard Stern: Radio Host, Author
- Howard Howard: Director, Actor
Nicknames
Howie
Fun facts
- Howard ranks among the top 100 most popular male names in cumulative U.S. birth records since 1880.
- The name was borne by the prominent Duke of Norfolk family in England, aiding its transition to a given name.