Howard used to be Richie Cunningham’s dad. Could it now be the newest revival name for boys?
Our Baby Name of the Day is another choice that re-entered the US Top 1000 in 2014.
Howard: Early 20th Century Staple
Howard was the Logan of an earlier age. Or maybe the Ryan.
From 1880 through 1958, the name ranked in the US Top 100, peaking at #24 in 1920.
That made it a logical choice for the dad on Happy Days. The series ran from 1974 through 1984, but it was set from the mid-1950s through the mid-60s. Mr. Cunningham was played by Tom Bosley, born in 1927 – right around peak Howard.
The character lends the name all sorts of positive attributes – it’s warm, approachable, and a little bit Americana.
Howard: Noble
Except that Howard’s roots are miles and miles away, across an ocean from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
It started out as a surname, probably from an older given name. It could mean brave; it could mean heart. The first element might mean army. The -ward ending often refers to a ward or guard.
Hereward the Wake rallied resistance to the Norman invasion in the eleventh century.
The Howard family rose to power in the 1500s. (Or maybe sooner. Some accounts say that they’re descended from Hereward himself!) They’ve been the Dukes of Norfolk ever since, and the family appears in many chapters of English history. Catherine Howard became the fifth wife of King Henry VIII. Lord Admiral Charles Howard led the English fleet that defeated the Spanish Armada.
Arundel Castle is the family’s ancestral home. It’s picture in the illustration for this post.
Howard: Hughes
Then there’s Howard Hughes, the entrepreneur, inventor, filmmaker – and speaking of film, an aviator. Back to that in a minute.
Hughes made big budget Hollywood movies in the 1920s and pioneered aircraft design in the 1930s. But he was also known for his eccentricities later in life.
In 2004, a biopic starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Hughes was released. The Aviator racked up eleven Academy Award nominations.
Howard: The Duck
Then there’s Howard the Duck, of Marvel Comics fame. He first appeared in 1973, a duck from outer space who comes to Earth and has adventures. It became an unsuccessful movie in 1986.
It wouldn’t merit a mention, except. At the end of the smash-hit 2014 Guardians of the Galaxy, the duck appeared in a post-credits scene. It hints that the character could make an appearance in a future Guardians movie – or another Marvel flick. After all, Guardians was a success with genetically engineered raccoon called Rocket.
Howard: Ready for Revival?
Forget the duck and even the aviator. There’s no shortage of notable Howards over the years. I always think of 1980s pop singer Jones. Archeologist Carter found King Tut’s tomb, and there’s sports journalist Cossell, shock jock Stern, and historian Zinn. It’s the H in HP Lovecraft. It’s also Anne Rice’s given name, after her dad!
The name may be in the early stages of a comeback, along with other traditionals like Arthur, Winston, Harvey, and Clyde. Or it may be the weight of tradition buoying the name up – it was given to 208 boys in 2014, down from 270 in 2000, but enough to nudge in back into the Top 1000.
Still, there are reasons to think that this name could wear well in 2016. It shares the long o sound of Logan, Owen, and Rowan. Nickname Howie sounds upbeat. I’ve also heard Hoby, which modernizes it even more.
Howard is a classic with a cuddly feel, and plenty of history and strength, too.
Do you think Howard is ready for revival?
Well, it’s been a couple of days and I still can’t figure out how Howard “shares the long o sound of Logan, Owen, and Rowan.” Can anyone enlighten me?
It doesn’t, does it? Thanks for pointing that out … still, I think we’re in the middle of a letter O resurgence …
It’s hard not to think of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ when I hear Howard these days 🙂 Now that he and Bernadette are expecting a baby on the show, I wonder what they will name their child?
It is all What’s Up, Doc? to me .
Howie Long gives this name a friendly, athletic vibe.
The fictional Howard Stark (a.k.a. Ironman’s dad) makes it somewhere between suave and brainy.
I think I like it…certainly enough to recommend it to a friend!
I actually really like Howard, though I don’t think I would ever use it. My favorite fictional Howards are Howard Bannister from What’s Up Doc? and “Howie” of the Ramona Quimby books. My only real issue? The fact that it rhymes with Coward :/
Hereward isn’t the same name as Howard — the first element in the former is Old English here or Old High German heri ‘army, host’, while the first element of Howard is Old High German hugu ‘heart, mind’, from Proto-Germanic hugaz ‘thought’, and used metaphorically for ‘courage’ (in the same way we say that someone is “of good heart” to mean brave or courageous).
Thanks, Sara – I should have checked that more closely! Hereward the Wake comes up in the discussion of Howard because the Howard family sometimes claims descent from Hereward. (Or perhaps others have made the connection?) I couldn’t find a Howard family source claiming descent, and it seems likes it’s probably all a fanciful connection. But it’s oft-repeated and I completely get why … it’s always nice to have a distinguished rebel in your family tree.
I can’t get behind Howard myself, but it does seem to be due a comeback as people branch out from the core “vintage revival” names like Leo, Oscar, Theodore and Felix. As a familiar surname (my maiden name, in fact!), it might also appeal to those who are looking for an unexpected surname-name to fit in/stand out alongside the Coopers, Jacksons, Harpers and Annistons.
Unfortunately, one of the first associations here in the UK is likely to be the famous “Howard from the Halifax ad”… I’m sorry about this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-Y6V5sqf0U