Howell is a unique and distinctive given name of Welsh origin. It is derived from the personal name Hywel, which is composed of two elements: "hy", meaning "eminent" or "high", and "gwilym", meaning "peaceful". Therefore, Howell can be interpreted as meaning "eminent peaceful".
The name Hywel was borne by several medieval Welsh rulers, including Hywel Dda (Hywel the Good), a king of Deheubarth in the 10th century who is renowned for his laws and justice. As such, the name Howell has historically been associated with royalty and leadership.
In English-speaking countries, Howell was originally used as a surname before being adopted as a given name in the late 19th century. It has since gained popularity as a boy's name but can also be used for girls.
Overall, Howell is a strong and noble name with a rich historical background that carries connotations of leadership, peace, and excellence. Its unique origin and meaning make it a distinctive choice for parents seeking an uncommon yet meaningful name for their child.
The name Howell has been given to babies born in the United States for over a century, with the first recorded birth occurring in 1880. From 1880 to 1967, there were consistently between 5 and 20 births per year, with peaks in popularity during certain decades.
In the 1910s and 1920s, Howell became increasingly popular, with a total of 43 births in 1913 alone. This trend continued into the early 1960s, with a peak of 67 births in 1958.
However, after the mid-1960s, the popularity of the name Howell began to decline. Between 1968 and 2023, there were fewer than 20 births per year on average. Despite this decrease, the name has remained relatively consistent in popularity over time, with a low of just 5 births recorded in certain years between 1977 and 2023.
Overall, from 1880 to 2023, there have been a total of approximately 3900 babies named Howell born in the United States. While the name has fluctuated in popularity over time, it has maintained a steady presence in American naming trends for well over a century.