Howard
A boys’ name of Old English origin, meaning high guardian, noble watchman.
How Howard has moved
View as table
| Year | US rank |
|---|---|
| 2016 | #902 |
| 2017 | #999 |
| 2018 | #975 |
| 2019 | #984 |
| 2021 | #942 |
Howard by the numbers
In 2025, 13 babies in England and Wales were named Howard. In the US, 201 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given noticeably more often in the US than in England and Wales.
Its American peak was 7,712 babies in 1921, so it is a 1920s name that has since fallen a long way.
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Howard. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
Other names that mean nobility
Like Howard, each of these has nobility in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Aaronmountain of strength; exalted7,185 in the US (2017)
- Aubreyelf ruler; noble strength6,029 in the US (2017)
- Nolanchampion, descendant of the noble one5,403 in the US (2017)
- Patrickof noble birth; patrician375 in England and Wales (2025)
- Aryanoble; honorable; aryan2,201 in the US (2017)
- Bryanhigh, noble; a form of Brian1,827 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean a protector
Like Howard, each of these has a protector in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Liamresolute protector; short form of William18,764 in the US (2017)
- Williamresolute protector14,922 in the US (2017)
- Alexanderdefender of the people12,488 in the US (2017)
- Parkerkeeper of the park; park ranger5,833 in the US (2017)
- Alexisdefender, helper2,847 in the US (2017)
- Alexdefender, helper; short form of Alexander or Alexis2,766 in the US (2017)
Names about as common as Howard
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