Howell Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Howell originates from the Welsh name 'Hywel', meaning 'eminent' or 'conspicuous', and has evolved through various forms over time. It is associated with notable figures in Welsh history and carries a sense of cultural significance. There is no biblical background linked to this name. Today, Howell is recognized as a traditional name, albeit less common in modern times, and has variations such as Hywel and Howel.
The name Howell is most popular in Georgia, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Howell has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Howell' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 752nd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 840th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1070th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2368th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5860th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 11426th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 9892nd out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Howell' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Howell"
Pronunciation
/ˈhaʊəl/
Origin
Welsh
Etymology
The name Howell is derived from the Welsh personal name 'Hywel', which means 'eminent' or 'conspicuous'. The name has been borne by several historical figures in Wales.
Meaning
eminent, conspicuous
Language Evolution
Hywel, Howel, Howell
Historical Usage
The name Howell gained popularity in Wales and among Welsh communities in England, particularly during the medieval period, due to its association with notable Welsh leaders and royalty.
Variants & Derivatives
Hywel, Howel, Hugh
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Howell is perceived as a traditional Welsh name with a strong cultural heritage, though it is not as common in contemporary usage.
Famous People
Howell Raines (journalist), Howell Heflin (U.S. Senator)
Explore More Howell Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Howell"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Howell"
"Howell" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 752nd of 7545 | 1,211 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 840th of 6773 | 1,043 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1070th of 7552 | 940 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2368th of 10718 | 263 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 5860th of 16616 | 110 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 11426th of 24088 | 64 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 9892nd of 23106 | 76 |
Regional Popularity of "Howell" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
83.05% 1176th/1416 |
66.64% 919th/1379 |
24.34% 576th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
26.69% 628th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
52.39% 1273rd/2430 |
30.25% 863rd/2853 |
60.61% 1682nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - |
48.44% 1704th/3518 |
- |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Howell" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Howell"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Howell" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.