A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Haywood since 1880
Babies named Haywood per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1919, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Haywood's real moment was 1899.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 128 |
| 1890s | 169 |
| 1900s | 238 |
| 1910s | 798 |
| 1920s | 1,073 |
| 1930s | 907 |
| 1940s | 897 |
| 1950s | 798 |
| 1960s | 552 |
| 1970s | 375 |
| 1980s | 226 |
| 1990s | 140 |
| 2000s | 95 |
| 2010s | 86 |
| 2020s | 59 |
Meaning & origin
Haywood is a surname-derived first name with a distinctly old-fashioned, rural English feel. It peaked at rank 6803 in 1899, when it was given to a small number of boys, and has since become exceedingly rare. The name saw a resurgence in 2011 and has been rising gradually since, though it remains uncommon. In the most recent year (2025), only about 1 in 142,340 boys received the name. Its top states are not recorded, indicating its use is scattered rather than regionally concentrated. Haywood carries the sturdy image of an English hedgerow, appealing to parents seeking a revival name with deep roots.
Haywood is an English surname turned given name, derived from a place name meaning 'hedged wood' (Old English 'hege' hedge + 'wudu' wood). It originally referred to someone living near a fenced or hedged forest. As a first name, it saw modest use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with a peak in 1899.
Where Haywood 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, Woody
Variants: Heywood
Sibling names for Haywood
Names that share Haywood's style, for a brother or sister.
