Howard Foss

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Howard Foss — high guardian
345K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Howard Foss 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 Foss: Aage Foss (1885–1952), Danish film actor Ambrose Foss (c. 1803–1862), Australian pharmacist Anders Foss (c. 1543–1607), Norwegian clergyman and Bishop of Bergen Anita Foss (1921–2015), American baseball player Austin Foss, American politician Betty Foss (1929–1998), American baseball player Brian Foss (1921–1997), British psychologist Brian Foss (art historian), Canadian art historian, academic, curator and writer Byron Foss (born 1979), American soccer player Charles Calveley Foss (1885–1953), English recipient of the Victoria Cross Chris Foss (born 1946), British illustrator Christopher F Fo. 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: Foss

English

Aage Foss (1885–1952), Danish film actor Ambrose Foss (c. 1803–1862), Australian pharmacist Anders Foss (c. 1543–1607), Norwegian clergyman and Bishop of Bergen Anita Foss (1921–2015), American baseball player Austin Foss, American politician Betty Foss (1929–1998), American baseball player Brian Foss (1921–1997), British psychologist Brian Foss (art historian), Canadian art historian, academic, curator and writer Byron Foss (born 1979), American soccer player Charles Calveley Foss (1885–1953), English recipient of the Victoria Cross Chris Foss (born 1946), British illustrator Christopher F Fo.

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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
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Notable People Named Howard Foss

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 Foss:

11
Expression Number

Intuition and inspiration (Master Number 11). Amplifies spiritual awareness, creative vision and sensitivity.

4
Soul Urge Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

7
Personality Number

Wisdom and introspection. A deep, analytical mind drawn to philosophy, spirituality and the search for truth.

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 Foss?
The surname Foss originates from English. Aage Foss (1885–1952), Danish film actor Ambrose Foss (c. 1803–1862), Australian pharmacist Anders Foss (c. 1543–1607), Norwegian clergyman and Bishop of Bergen Anita Foss (1921–2015), American baseball player Austin Foss, American politician Betty Foss (1929–1998), American baseball player Brian Foss (1921–1997), British psychologist Brian Foss (art historian), Canadian art historian, academic, curator and writer Byron Foss (born 1979), American soccer player Charles Calveley Foss (1885–1953), English recipient of the Victoria Cross Chris Foss (born 1946), British illustrator Christopher F Fo.
What are the origins of the name Howard Foss?
The name Howard Foss combines two different traditions: the first name Howard has Norse roots, while the surname Foss originates from English.
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