Holding steady, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Hayward since 1884
Babies named Hayward per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1956, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Hayward's real moment was 1909.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 21 |
| 1890s | 68 |
| 1900s | 112 |
| 1910s | 468 |
| 1920s | 814 |
| 1930s | 767 |
| 1940s | 812 |
| 1950s | 744 |
| 1960s | 456 |
| 1970s | 302 |
| 1980s | 222 |
| 1990s | 146 |
| 2000s | 64 |
| 2010s | 46 |
| 2020s | 22 |
Meaning & origin
Hayward is a rare English occupational name that enjoyed modest use in the early 1900s. First recorded in 1884, it reached its peak rank in 1909 but has since declined sharply. As of 2025, it sits at rank 12,008, with a frequency of approximately 1 in 341,615 male births. The trajectory is stable, indicating very low but consistent usage. Hayward never charted in any top state lists, reflecting its spread but limited appeal. Its meaning, 'hedge keeper,' ties it to a pastoral English heritage, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking an uncommon surname-style name with historical depth.
Hayward is an English surname turned given name, derived from Old English 'hege' (hedge) and 'weard' (guard), literally 'hedge keeper' or 'enclosure warden'. It originated as an occupational name for someone who maintained fences and protected crops from stray livestock. As a first name, it saw modest use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Where Hayward is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Hay, Ward
Variants: Haywarde
Sibling names for Hayward
Names that share Hayward's style, for a brother or sister.
