Howie first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Howie has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Howie

A diminutive form of Howard, meaning "high guard" or "brave heart".

Popularity of Howie by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Howie is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 18 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Howie.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 18 0
2022 19 0
2021 14 0
2020 12 0
2019 15 0
2018 10 0
2017 14 0
2016 11 0
2015 9 0
2014 10 0
2013 15 0
2012 12 0
2011 5 0
2010 9 0
2009 9 0
2008 15 0
2007 16 0
2006 8 0
2003 8 0
2002 10 0
2001 13 0
2000 12 0
1999 16 0
1998 7 0
1995 8 0
1991 7 0
1990 6 0
1988 5 0
1987 6 0
1986 5 0
1985 7 0
1974 5 0

The history of the first name Howie

The name Howie is an English diminutive form of the name Howard, which has its origins in the Old English word "hord" meaning "hoard" or "stockpile." The name Howard was first used as a surname and later adopted as a given name.

The name Howie gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the United States and Canada. It was often used as a nickname for people named Howard, but also became a standalone given name in its own right.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Howie can be found in the 1881 census records of England and Wales, where a few instances of the name were documented. However, it was not until the early 20th century that the name gained wider usage.

In terms of historical figures with the name Howie, one notable person was Howie Morenz (1902-1937), a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is considered one of the greatest players of his era. Morenz played for the Montreal Canadiens and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1945.

Another famous Howie was Howie Kendrick (born 1983), an American professional baseball player who played for several teams, including the Los Angeles Angels and the Washington Nationals. Kendrick was part of the Nationals team that won the 2019 World Series.

In the world of entertainment, Howie Mandel (born 1955) is a well-known Canadian comedian, actor, and television host. He has been a judge on the reality competition show "America's Got Talent" since 2010.

Howie Epstein (1955-2003) was an American bassist and singer-songwriter who was a member of the rock bands Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and The Epics. He was known for his talented bass playing and songwriting contributions.

Howie Carr (born 1952) is an American journalist and author who is best known for his work as a radio talk show host in Boston, Massachusetts. He has also written several books, including "The Brothers Bulger," about the infamous Boston crime family.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Howie. While it may have originated as a diminutive form of Howard, Howie has established itself as a distinct and recognizable name in its own right.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Howie was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Howie, please contact us.

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"Howie first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 10, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/howie-meaning-and-history/.

"Howie first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/howie-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 10 May, 2025

Howie first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/howie-meaning-and-history/.

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