Hayward is a surname of English origin, derived from Old English words "haeg" meaning enclosure or hedge, and "weard" meaning guardian or keeper. Therefore, the name Hayward can be translated as "enclosure keeper" or "hedge guardian".
The surname Hayward has been traced back to the Anglo-Saxon period in England, where it was likely given to someone who held a position of responsibility over an enclosure or hedge. Over time, the name has become associated with various families and locations across England.
Today, Hayward is more commonly used as a given name than a surname. It gained popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century, possibly due to its association with the American actor Robert Hayward, who was active during that time under the stage name Robert Young.
In literature and pop culture, Hayward has been used as a character name in various works. For example, it is the surname of one of the main characters in the 2005 film "Jarhead," played by Jake Gyllenhaal. Additionally, there have been several notable individuals with the surname Hayward throughout history, such as American basketball player Rick Hayward and British novelist Henry Fielding Hayward.
Overall, while Hayward is a name with an interesting historical background and meaning, it has also become associated with various figures in popular culture and may hold different significance for people depending on their personal experiences and familiarity with these individuals.
Here are some interesting statistics about the name Hayward:
The name Hayward has been given to babies born in the United States every year since at least 1884. The popularity of the name fluctuated greatly over time, with a significant peak occurring between 1912 and 1925.
During this period, the number of births with the name Hayward increased dramatically, reaching its highest point in 1922 with 88 births. This trend continued until 1934 when the number of births started to decline gradually.
From 1960 onwards, the popularity of the name Hayward began to decrease significantly. Between 1970 and 1995, the number of babies named Hayward was in single digits each year, with a low of only 6 births in 2000.
In recent years, the name Hayward has become even less common. Since 2008, there have been fewer than 20 births per year with this name, and in some years, such as 2011 and 2014, only five babies were named Hayward.
Overall, from 1884 to 2023, the name Hayward was given to a total of 5053 babies born in the United States. Despite its fluctuating popularity over time, Hayward remains a unique and historic name with a long-standing presence in American naming culture.