Howdy

While many would consider Howdy best left as a greeting with a cowboy-ish air, content creator and Instagrammer Katie Marshall put it on the map as a baby name in 2025 when she chose it for her son.

Used as an informal way of saying "hello", it's particularly associated with the western and southern states of the US, heard in western movies, and familiar from the phrase howdy, partner. It also featured in the 50s TV show, 'Howdy Doody in which Howdy was the name of a puppet.

As a given name, it's typically used as a short form of Howard with notable bearers being including musician Howdy Forrester and racing drivers Howdy Holmes, Howdy Wilcox I, and Howdy Wilcox II. Using it as an alternative to Howie may be a great way to freshen up a now out-of-style name.

With similar Rowdy in the Top 1000, Howdy appeared in the US stats for the first time in 2025, given to 5 boys.

Pronounced HOW-dee.

As of October 2026, Howdy ranked #12723 for boys in US births in 2025 SSA.