When was Howard most popular?

The name Howard reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.

What are the origins of the name Howard Foley?

The name Howard Foley combines two different traditions: the first name Howard has Norse roots, while the surname Foley originates from Irish.

Howard Foley — 345K & 52K bearers

Howard Foley is a name that combines Norse origins. The first name Howard is a masculine given name of Norse origin. Howard is a masculine given name derived from the English surname Howard. The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names notes that "the use of this surname as a christian name is quite recent and there seems to be no particular reason for it except that it is the name of several noble families". The surname has a number of possible origins; in the case of the noble family, the likely source is the Norse given name Hávarðr, composed of the elements há ("high") and varðr ("guardian"). Diminutives include Howie and Ward. The surname Foley: Foley is a surname which originated in Ireland, in the southeast Munster region. The name is derived from the original modern Irish Ó Foghlú and older Irish Ó Foghladha, meaning "plunderer". The Lord of the Decies (the Waterford area of Munster) was a title attributed to some early Foleys. Howard is a well-known first name, carried by approximately 345K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Howard reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Howard

Meaning: high guardian

Norse

Howard is a masculine given name derived from the English surname Howard. The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names notes that "the use of this surname as a christian name is quite recent and there seems to be no particular reason for it except that it is the name of several noble families". The surname has a number of possible origins; in the case of the noble family, the likely source is the Norse given name Hávarðr, composed of the elements há ("high") and varðr ("guardian"). Diminutives include Howie and Ward.

Surname: Foley

Irish

Foley is a surname which originated in Ireland, in the southeast Munster region. The name is derived from the original modern Irish Ó Foghlú and older Irish Ó Foghladha, meaning "plunderer". The Lord of the Decies (the Waterford area of Munster) was a title attributed to some early Foleys.

Geographic Distribution

The first name Howard is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 51%

United Kingdom 27%

Australia 12%

Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Howard by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s

1910s

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Notable People Named Howard Foley

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Howard Foley:

6

Expression Number

Nurturing and responsibility. Associated with care, family values and a strong sense of duty towards loved ones.

9

Soul Urge Number

Compassion and humanitarianism. A generous, idealistic nature with a sincere desire to improve the world.

6

Personality Number

Nurturing and responsibility. Associated with care, family values and a strong sense of duty towards loved ones.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Howard?: The first name Howard originates from Norse. Howard is a masculine given name derived from the English surname Howard. The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names notes that "the use of this surname as a christian name is quite recent and there seems to be no particular reason for it except that it is the name of several noble families". The surname has a number of possible origins; in the case of the noble family, the likely source is the Norse given name Hávarðr, composed of the elements há ("high") and varðr ("guardian"). Diminutives include Howie and Ward.
When was Howard most popular?: The name Howard reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Foley?: The surname Foley originates from Irish. Foley is a surname which originated in Ireland, in the southeast Munster region. The name is derived from the original modern Irish Ó Foghlú and older Irish Ó Foghladha, meaning "plunderer". The Lord of the Decies (the Waterford area of Munster) was a title attributed to some early Foleys.
What are the origins of the name Howard Foley?: The name Howard Foley combines two different traditions: the first name Howard has Norse roots, while the surname Foley originates from Irish.