Boy · 97th of 24,088
Hayden
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
144,513
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2008
Peak Popularity Year
8,611
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Hayden stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Hayden is an Old English name meaning 'hedged valley.' It evolved from the historical forms Hægdun and Haydon to its modern form. The name is often associated with positive traits such as friendliness and youthfulness. It does not have biblical relevance and gained popularity as a first name in the 20th century.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈheɪdən/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Hayden is derived from the Old English word 'haeg,' meaning 'hedged valley' or 'enclosed valley.' It originally referred to a geographical location.
Meaning
hedged valley
Language Evolution
Hægdun, Haydon, Hayden
Historical Usage
Hayden gained popularity as a surname in England during the Middle Ages and has become a favored first name in modern times, particularly in the 20th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Haydon, Haden, Haidan
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Hayden is perceived as a trendy and modern name, often associated with a youthful and friendly image.
Famous People
Hayden Christensen, Hayden Panettiere, Hayden Roulston
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 8,611 peak births in 2008
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Utah
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 12 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 11 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 821st of 7545 | 1,082 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 988th of 6773 | 784 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1285th of 7552 | 682 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1293rd of 10718 | 684 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 347th of 16616 | 10,652 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 97th of 24088 | 69,021 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 160th of 23106 | 28,787 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 6451st of 19264 | 113 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1901st of 27321 | 1,078 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 310th of 35406 | 16,390 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 252nd of 30306 | 15,129 |