Holding steady.
Popularity of Heyward since 1896
Babies named Heyward per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1928, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Heyward's real moment was 1903.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 11 |
| 1900s | 45 |
| 1910s | 196 |
| 1920s | 343 |
| 1930s | 330 |
| 1940s | 316 |
| 1950s | 301 |
| 1960s | 195 |
| 1970s | 109 |
| 1980s | 86 |
| 1990s | 35 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 32 |
| 2020s | 14 |
Meaning & origin
Heyward is an English surname-turned-given name that saw modest use in the early 1900s. According to Social Security records, the name first appeared in 1896 and reached its peak popularity in 1903, when it was given to a small number of baby boys. It has remained consistently rare since the 1920s, showing a stable trajectory with no significant revival. Unlike many surnames from the same era, Heyward never achieved widespread use and has largely faded from the naming landscape. Its meaning, 'hedge warden', ties it to a practical role in medieval English communities, but as a first name it remains a niche choice.
Heyward is an English surname derived from the Old English 'hege' (hedge) and 'weard' (guardian), originally denoting someone who maintained hedges and fences. It was adopted as a given name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily in the United States, where it saw some popularity, peaking in 1903.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Heyward
Names that share Heyward's style, for a brother or sister.
