When this name was first profiled in 2008 she was an under-the-radar choice with spiritual overtones and a tailored sound. Then in the summer of 2011, she took her place on the playgrounds of Hollywood, and could be poised to catch on.
Thanks to Bo for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day: Haven.
Haven has some history as a surname, but it is limited. The surname and the word share the same roots – the Old English word for a port, possibly related to our word have, or maybe to an old word for sea. If you lived near a haven, then you might end up wearing the name. As with any last name, a few individuals – mostly men – answered to it as a first name over the years.
Despite that history, Haven reads as a modern choice, a noun name with meaning, a cousin to Journey or Harmony. She’s less overtly religious than Genesis or Trinity, but more spiritual than Sailor or Skye. Haven is just as likely to refer to a place of religious refuge – the Pilgrims sought a safe haven in the New World – as it is to things like home decor – the new bedding makes the room feel like a haven.
Haven touches on a few other trends, too:
- She’s a place name, thanks to Connecticut’s New Haven. New Haven isn’t exactly a world-famous metropolis, but it is home to a school that is known the world over – Yale University.
- While a harbor can be man-made, many are naturally occurring, putting Haven in the company of Willow and Wren.
- Her sound is one-part Harper and Harlow, one-part Ava. That’s a powerful combination.
And yet Haven has remained relatively obscure. She first cracked the Top 1000 in 1996, and ranked #582 in 2007, the most recent data available when this post originally appeared in 2008. Since then she’s fallen to #651.
That could change, though. Jessica Alba welcomed a daughter in August of 2011, a little sister for Honor. While Honor has never appeared in the US Top 1000, dad’s name – Cash – is on fire. Alba and family are a staple in the media, making her kids’ names as familiar as the Jolie-Pitt clan.
There’s a story behind Haven’s name, too. While it sounds like a perfect match for Honor, the parents settled on Haven after their daughter was born in caul – in her amniotic sac. It’s said that Napoleon and Charlemagne share the same rare birth story, so perhaps Haven is destined for greatness.
Until Jessica welcomed baby #2, the most famous Haven was probably Haven Kimmel, the New York Times bestselling author, or possibly James Haven, brother to Angelina Jolie, and an actor in his own right.
If you’re looking for a meaningful moniker, but wouldn’t dream of something as specifically Christian as Heaven, this name has appeal. A harbor brings to mind the physical place where a boat rides out the storm, while a haven connotes refuge, safety and shelter. It’s a positive image for a child’s name. The idea of sanctuary carries just enough significance to make Haven more virtue than nature name, though she combines qualities of both.
If you’re naming a daughter and want something frills-free and modern but meaningful and familiar, too, Haven is a great choice.
Editor’s Note: This post originally appeared on May 29, 2008, and was revised on November 8. 2011. Original comments remain unaltered.
Sarah A says
November 8, 2011 at 5:15 PMWhile I do like the spiritual-minus-overtly-religious sentiment of Haven, I find it a bit masculine for a little girl. Maybe it’s because my main association with the name is Angelina Jolie’s brother. I also think Haven Garner sounds way too gender neutral.
For frills-free ends-in-N girls names I prefer Maren and Arwen.
appellationmountain says
November 9, 2011 at 7:10 AMI agree about Garner – I wish she were Haven Rose or Haven Elizabeth. And oh, i do adore Maren. And Aderyn – that’s one of my new favorites. And Emblyn, too.
Lemon says
November 8, 2011 at 4:59 PMI like that Haven has a modern, fresh feel without sounding too, um, modern? That doesn’t really make sense, does it? I think, to me, Haven feels like a name made for the modern world but grounded in a rich foundation, whereas something like Kiley feels more modern, without that grounding. I like a girl’s name that isn’t high on frills, but I agree with some of you that this one has a masculine edge. Honor, too, isn’t particularly frilly. But, I just met a girl named Chandler, and that’s got a masculine edge. Doesn’t feel out of place to me, honestly. Overall, I like the choice of Haven. Maven or Aven are interesting word-y names, too…
In addition to wondering what two-syllable, unusual H name Alba and Warren will choose if they have a third child, I’m really perplexed about what middle name they’ll use! Since Honor’s middle (Marie) is Jessica’s and Haven’s middle (Garner) is Cash’s, I guess they’ll have to go up the family tree for more options.
Lou @ Mer de noms says
November 8, 2011 at 4:04 PMI wasn’t particularly fussed about the name when first announced by Alba, but it certainly works well for her, even if it does corner her should a third come along. My big issue with the name is that it’s the name of a budget holiday park/camp place here in the UK. Speaking of similar names, the hugely popular comedian over here is Michael McIntyre, whose middle name is the intriguing Hazen.
appellationmountain says
November 9, 2011 at 7:11 AMI think Hazen has popped up in Names4Real’s birth announcement posts a few times – it is intriguing!
KO says
November 8, 2011 at 12:59 PMI must be honest, I’m not partial to these reruns of names already covered when there’s so many new names out there to be explored. I know you’re trying to keep things up to date but that’s my two cents. : )
T says
November 8, 2011 at 11:39 AMCash Warren also attended Yale (graduated with Eric Johnson, Jessica Simpson’s fianc
Charlotte Vera says
November 8, 2011 at 11:15 AMI’ve never actually seen the show, but Haven makes me think of Haven, Maine, the setting for the Stephen King inspired series “Haven”. The trailers looked spooky, so now the word Haven has a spooky association in my mind.
I hadn’t read the story by Jessica Alba’s second daughter’s name — fascinating! It makes me wonder whether I’d change my name selections if I had a child born in their caul: Would I choose something that signifies security, or go with something water-themed since being born in a caul is traditionally supposed to protect against drowning. Hmmm. . .
appellationmountain says
November 9, 2011 at 7:12 AMThat’s interesting, Charlotte – I hadn’t heard of the series. And I wonder that, too – if the circumstances of a child’s birth could be so dramatic that they’d change my mind. I imagine they could, but maybe only in the middle spot. I tend to have names chosen so far in advance …
Raquel Somatra says
November 8, 2011 at 11:26 AMI find it a bit masculine, too. I think it’s paired well with “Honor”, but I’m not over the moon over either name.
Julie says
November 8, 2011 at 10:02 AMI know a rather troubled young woman named Haven, so that colors my impression of the name. I don’t like calling a name a “stripper name”, but since that’s her profession…
i.heart.nerds says
November 8, 2011 at 8:47 AMI like this as a surprise middle. It would be a pretty cool option for a teen that didn’t like their first name.
Am I the only one feeling the masculine side of this name?
Jen says
November 8, 2011 at 7:10 PMI actually know a 4 year old Haven. Male. 🙂 Threw me off a bit at first, as I hadn’t heard it at all before and I thought “girl”, but I can understand- it does sound a lot like Hayden, which goes both ways.
appellationmountain says
November 9, 2011 at 7:09 AMIf not for how popular Haven is becoming for girls, I’d think Haven was perfectly gender neutral. Actually, I take that back – I do think Haven is perfectly gender neutral. I do not know if a boy called Haven will appreciate that logic until he is past the middle school years.
waltzingmorethanmatilda says
November 8, 2011 at 3:33 AMThis name now sounds ready for greatness, and if it becomes popular, can see it spawning host of variants, such as Aven, Avan, Hayvyn etc.
Chantillylace says
August 15, 2011 at 9:43 PMThe more I see Haven, the more I really like it! But I can see Haven yelling someone her name and they think she’s saying “heaven” with a southern accent.
Also, a side note on Jessica Alba’s Haven’s big sis. When I first heard the name “Honor” on Gilmore Girls, I thought they were saying Anna with a British accent. Always something to think about when choosing a name…
Sebastiane says
August 5, 2009 at 4:41 PMI went to high school with a boy named Haven. He was born in 1983, and that was the first time I ever heard the name. Fast forward to about 10 years later, and I start to notice a small crop of baby girl Havens. I must say, I do think its appealing in a GP sort of way. I suppose I understand why parents are using it on their little girls.