Howard

Howard: name meaning, origin & popularity

Meaning: “high guardian”
Origin: Germanic
Say it: HOW-ərd · 2 syllables
Used for: Boys

Usually derived from the Anglo-Norman surname Howard, often linked to Old Norse Hávarðr or related Germanic elements meaning high and guardian. Its exact surname pathway is complex.

English names German names Names meaning protector Names meaning noble Classic names Surname-style names

How popular is Howard?

202462.0 per million US babies

Drag the line or the slider to read any year. Values are per million US births recorded by Social Security. Records before about 1937 undercount births, so early peaks can look taller than they were.

Compare with another name

Babies named Howard in 2024207

2024 rank#1,054 boys

Peak year1915

Total US babies since 1880348,120

Howard is steady now but far below its 1915 peak.

Names like Howard

Variants, related forms and names with the same roots.

Williamresolute protector · Germanic
Henryhome ruler · Germanic
Charlesfree man · Germanic
Milessoldier or merciful · Germanic
Robertbright fame · Germanic
Milogracious; dear · Germanic
Luisfamous warrior · Germanic
Richardbrave ruler · Germanic

Howard questions

What does the name Howard mean?

Howard means "high guardian". It comes from Germanic. Usually derived from the Anglo-Norman surname Howard, often linked to Old Norse Hávarðr or related Germanic elements meaning high and guardian. Its exact surname pathway is complex.

Is Howard a boy or girl name?

Howard is mainly a boy's name in US records (100% of uses since 1880).

How popular is Howard?

207 US babies were named Howard in 2024. Its peak year was 1915.

How do you pronounce Howard?

Howard is usually pronounced HOW-ərd.

Birth counts: US Social Security Administration national data, 1880–2024 (names given to 5+ babies of a sex in a year). How we write meanings.