Heyward Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Heyward is of Old English origin, meaning 'guardian of the hedge', and has evolved from its early forms in Old English through Middle English to modern usage. The name conveys traits of protection and guardianship, with no direct biblical relevance. It gained popularity as a surname before transitioning into a given name in the 19th century, and today it is viewed as traditional and rare.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Heyward"
Pronunciation
/ˈheɪwərd/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Heyward is derived from the Old English elements 'haeg', meaning 'hedge', and 'weard', meaning 'guardian' or 'keeper'. Therefore, it can be interpreted as 'hedge guardian' or 'guardian of the enclosure'.
Meaning
guardian of the hedge
Language Evolution
Hægeweard (Old English), Heyward (Middle English), Heyward (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Heyward gained popularity as a surname in medieval England and has been used as a given name since the 19th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Hayward, Heward, Heywood
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Heyward is considered a traditional and somewhat rare name, often associated with a strong, protective image.
Famous People
Heyward Shepard, a notable American civil rights activist, Heyward Hale Broun, an American journalist and television personality
📊 Heyward Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Heyward Name Visualizations
✨ Heyward Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 43 peak births in 1928
Geographic Spread
Popular across 3 US states, with strongest presence in South Carolina
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Heyward" - Complete Guide (2 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Heyward". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 2 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Heyward" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Heyward"
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 of "Heyward"
"Heyward" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1285th of 7545 | 504 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1230th of 6773 | 574 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1445th of 7552 | 553 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2777th of 10718 | 206 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 6273rd of 16616 | 97 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 14556th of 24088 | 34 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 14258th of 23106 | 32 |
Regional Popularity of "Heyward" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
28.70% 679th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
28.35% 667th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
58.02% 1410th/2430 |
28.25% 806th/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - |
32.06% 1128th/3518 |
- |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
44.86% 2330th/5194 |
- |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
56.82% 4155th/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
74.46% 5080th/6822 |
- |
Regional Popularity of "Heyward" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Heyward"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Heyward" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Heyward" in the United States
The name Heyward is most popular in South Carolina, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Heyward has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Heyward' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1285th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1230th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1445th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2777th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 6273rd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 14556th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 14258th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Heyward' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.