Howell Boy

Popularity: #926 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: HOW-uhl //ˈhaʊ.əl//

Origin: Welsh; English

Meaning: Welsh: 'eminent' or 'prominent'; English: 'dweller by the hill'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Howell has its roots in the Welsh language, deriving from the Old Welsh personal name "Hywel," which is believed to mean "eminent" or "conspicuous." The name Hywel is composed of the elements "hy" meaning "good" or "well," and "gwell" which can be interpreted as "to be better." The transition of the name into English occurred through the Norman influence in the 11th century, as the Normans brought many Welsh names into common usage in England, particularly in regions with strong Welsh connections. Historically, the name Howell is notably associated with Hywel Dda, a significant figure in Welsh history who ruled in the 10th century.

He is remembered for his contributions to the codification of Welsh law and governance, which had a lasting impact on Welsh identity and culture. The name also appears in various historical texts and documents, including the Laws of Hywel Dda, which were compiled around the year 950.

This legal framework is considered one of the earliest examples of written law in Britain and reflects the importance of the name in Welsh heritage. Culturally, Howell has been embraced in various forms within Welsh tradition, often symbolizing leadership and wisdom.

The name has also been used in literature and folklore, reinforcing its significance in Welsh culture. Diminutive forms such as "Howie" have emerged, though they are less prominent historically.

The enduring legacy of Howell is tied to its historical roots and the cultural resonance it holds within Welsh society, reflecting a lineage of respect and prominence that has persisted through the centuries.

Famous people named Howell

In this section, you will find notable people named Howell. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Howell who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Howell who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Howell Raines is a journalist best known for his work as editor of The New York Times, author of The One That Got Away, and his commentary on American politics.

Howell H. McCall is a businessman best known for founding the McCall Pattern Company, known for sewing patterns and fashion design.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Howell, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

HarrisonHenryHugoHaydenHarlanHollis

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Howell. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

HawthorneHollisHarlanHectorHugoHarrisonHendrixHollander

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Howell was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Howell has ranked as high as #1386 nationally, which occurred in 1920, and has been most popular in Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, Alabama, and North Carolina.

In the past 5 years the name Howell has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Howell is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Howell was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Howell.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 12 12
2024 11 11
2023 10 10
2022 9 9
2021 9 9
2020 14 14
2019 6 6
2017 5 5
2015 7 7
2013 5 5
2012 7 7
2011 6 6
2008 7 7
2005 10 10
2003 8 8
2001 11 11
2000 9 9
1997 6 6
1996 5 5
1993 10 10
1992 6 6
1991 6 6
1990 13 13
1989 7 7
1988 10 10
1987 5 5
1986 5 5
1985 7 7
1984 7 7
1983 9 9
1982 10 10
1981 10 10
1980 8 8
1979 13 13
1978 14 14
1977 6 6
1976 10 10
1975 12 12
1974 12 12
1973 13 13
1972 14 14
1971 26 26
1970 18 18
1969 19 19
1968 21 21
1967 20 20
1966 31 31
1965 26 26
1964 42 42
1963 26 26
1962 36 36
1961 36 36
1960 33 33
1959 44 44
1958 52 52
1957 45 45
1956 56 56
1955 48 48
1954 59 59
1953 44 44
1952 57 57
1951 61 61
1950 74 74
1949 56 56
1948 51 51
1947 63 63
1946 57 57
1945 50 50
1944 48 48
1943 66 66
1942 47 47
1941 57 57
1940 61 61
1939 68 68
1938 56 56
1937 61 61
1936 67 67
1935 55 55
1934 67 67
1933 62 62
1932 61 61
1931 59 59
1930 51 51
1929 46 46
1928 61 61
1927 80 80
1926 73 73
1925 79 79
1924 78 78
1923 80 80
1922 65 65
1921 75 75
1920 93 93
1919 63 63
1918 66 66
1917 74 74
1916 69 69
1915 68 68
1914 56 56
1913 43 43
1912 28 28
1911 20 20
1910 13 13
1909 15 15
1908 8 8
1907 11 11
1906 8 8
1905 14 14
1904 6 6
1903 7 7
1902 9 9
1901 10 10
1900 14 14
1899 13 13
1898 8 8
1897 9 9
1896 9 9
1895 16 16
1894 13 13
1892 9 9
1891 9 9
1890 11 11
1889 8 8
1888 7 7
1887 9 9
1886 8 8
1885 8 8
1884 12 12
1883 10 10
1882 11 11
1881 6 6
1880 14 14

Top States for Howell (1971)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
GA 5
100%