Steward, of Latin origin, means "guardian" or "attendant". It is derived from the Old English word 'stigweard', which was used to describe a guardian or overseer of a household. The name gained popularity during the Middle Ages as it was often given to stewards who managed the estates of nobles and monarchs. In some cases, Steward may also have been bestowed upon those with a family connection to the stewardship role. Today, Steward remains a unisex given name, though it is more commonly used for males. It has experienced varying degrees of popularity throughout history, but it remains a timeless and respected choice among parents seeking a traditional yet distinctive name for their child.
The name Steward experienced a notable surge in popularity between 1917 and 1920, with the highest number of births recorded at 37 in 1920. However, it seems that this trend did not continue into the following years as there was a decline afterwards, reaching a low point with only 5 births in 1967. Since then, the popularity has fluctuated but remained relatively stable, with an average of around 10 births per year from 1970 onwards.