Howard

HOW-ud; HOW-urd

German, English

"high guardian; brave heart"

Howard Origin and Meaning

The name Howard is a boy's name of German origin meaning "high guardian; brave heart".

Howard, once hugely popular -- in the Top 50 from the 1870s to early 1950s, hitting Number 24 in 1920 -- has been stuck in Dad-Grandad limbo for decades, but is showing some signs of stirring back to life. Along with such formerly-fusty names as George and Harold, Howard may soon feel baby-appropriate, perhaps with the short form Ward, or the clunky-cute Howie.

Howard was the surname of an early English noble family, gradually metamorphosing into a first name in the nineteenth century. Notable Howards include tycoon Howard Hughes, director Howard Hawks, politician Howard Dean, and media figure Howard Stern. In literature, there is Ayn Rand's iconic architect Howard Roark, protagonist of The Fountainhead.

Strange trivia item: Vampire novelist Anne Rice's given name is Howard Allen. She has said her mother "had the idea that naming a woman Howard was going to give that woman an unusual advantage in the world."

Given to 218 boys in a recent year, Howard might appeal to those looking for alternatives to Edward, an unexpected way to nickname Hal, or something similar in style to Stanley, Rufus, and Bernard.

Howard Rank in US Top 1000

# 940 in the US

Howard Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

# 462 on Nameberry

Popularity of the name Howard

• 940 US 2021
• 462 Nameberry 2025
• 56 Unique 2024

20 Names Similar to Howard

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Howard.

• Roger
• Arnold
• Reginald
• Norman
• Harold
• Roy
• Douglas
• Gerald
• Gordon
• Clifford
• Moses
• Melvin
• Frederik
• Ned
• Marvin
• Herbert
• Stuart
• Fred
• Milton
• Stanley

Famous People Named Howard

• Howard Allan Stern American radio and TV personality
• Howard Kevin Stern American attorney, reality TV personality, partner of model Anna Nicole Smith
• Howard Brush Dean III American politician, medical doctor, governor of Vermont
• Howard Dwaine "Howie D." Dorough American singer of the Backstreet Boys
• Howard Cosell American sports broadcaster
• Howard Robard Hughes Jr., American aviation pioneer and film mogul
• Howard Winchester Hawks American film director
• Howard Goodall English musicologist
• Howard Judd American physician and medical researcher
• Howard Phillips "H.P." Lovecraft American writer
• Howard "Howie" Mandel Canadian comedian, actor, and TV host
• Howard Bailey Jr. aka Chingy, American rapper
• (Howard) Duane Allman American guitarist and musician
• Howard Harold Hanson American composer
• Harry Clifford "Howard" Keel American actor and singer
• Leo Howard american actor
• Howard Zinn American historian and activist
• Howard Melton Webb English football referee
• Howard Hoagland "Hoagy" Carmichael American composer, pianist, singer, actor, and bandleader
• Kestin Howard aka LucariosKlaw American voice actor and YouTuber

The name Howard in Pop Culture

• Howard Joel Wolowitz character on TV's "The Big Bang Theory"
• Howard the Duck Marvel Comics character
• Howard Burleigh character on TV's "Coach"
• Howard character in the movie "Reflections on a Crime"
• Howard Stark father of Tony Stark in the Iron Man series
• Howard University school in Washington, D.C.
• Howard 'Howie' DeVille father of Phil and Lil on "Rugrats"
• "Howard's End " 1910 novel by E. M. Forster, and 1992 British romantic drama film based on the novel
• Howard Sunderly character in Frances Hardinge's novel 'The Lie Tree'
• Howard "Chimney" Han Character on ABC's "9-1-1"