Howard is a name of English origin that has been in use for centuries. It is derived from the Old German name Horda, which was composed of two elements: "hard" meaning strong or brave, and "-rad" meaning counsel or advice. Therefore, Howard can be translated as "strong council" or "brave counsel".
The name Howard first appeared in England during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century when it was brought over by the French nobility. It was initially used as a surname before becoming popular as a given name.
One of the earliest known bearers of the name Howard was Hugo de Houward, who was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086, a great survey of England ordered by William the Conqueror. The Howards became a prominent family in English history, with numerous members holding high-ranking positions such as Earls and Dukes.
The popularity of the name Howard has varied over time. It was quite common during the Middle Ages but fell out of fashion in the late 19th century. However, it experienced a resurgence in the mid-20th century, reaching peak popularity in the United States in the 1930s and 1940s.
Today, Howard is still used as a given name but has become less common than it once was. It is often associated with historical figures such as Howard Hughes, an American business magnate and aviator, and Howard Cosell, an American sports journalist. However, its use as a given name is not exclusively tied to these individuals or any particular historical figure.
In summary, Howard is a name of Old German origin that means "strong council" or "brave counsel". It has been in use in England since the 11th century and was once a popular given name. Although it is less common today than it once was, it remains an option for parents looking for a traditional yet distinctive name for their child.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe the fluctuations in the number of babies named Howard born each year in the United States from 1887 to 1987.
The name Howard experienced its peak popularity during the early to mid-20th century. The highest number of births with this name occurred in 1917, with 34 newborns sharing the name. This figure increased further to 44 births in 1920 and peaked at 56 births in 1928.
However, after reaching its zenith, the popularity of the name Howard began to decline steadily. By the late 1930s, the annual number of babies named Howard was less than half of what it was during the peak years. This downward trend continued throughout the mid-20th century and into the 1970s.
The lowest point in recent history for the name Howard occurred in 1987, with only 6 newborns sharing this name. This significant decrease in popularity can be attributed to changing trends in naming practices over time.
Despite the fluctuations in its popularity, the name Howard has remained a consistent choice among parents throughout the years, with a total of 1,676 babies named Howard born in the United States between 1887 and 1987. This demonstrates that while the number of newborns receiving this name may vary annually, there is still a notable history and presence of the name Howard in American culture.