Howland Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: HOW-lənd //ˈhaʊ.lənd//
Origin: English; Old Norse
Meaning: English: from the hollow; Old Norse: dweller by the hollow
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Howland has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "hol" meaning "hollow" or "deep" and "land" meaning "land" or "ground." This etymological combination suggests a geographical significance, possibly referring to a low-lying area or a piece of land characterized by its depth. The name likely entered the English lexicon during the early medieval period, as Old English evolved into Middle English, with the spelling variations reflecting regional dialects and phonetic changes over time.
Historically, the name Howland is associated with notable figures in English history. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 13th century, when it appeared in various forms in legal documents and land grants.
The name gained further prominence through the Howland family, particularly John Howland, who was a passenger on the Mayflower in 1620. His journey to the New World and subsequent settlement in Plymouth Colony contributed to the name's historical significance in American history.
Culturally, the name Howland carries connotations of heritage and exploration, reflecting the adventurous spirit of early settlers. It is often linked to themes of resilience and pioneering, as families bearing the name have been part of significant historical narratives in both England and America.
The name has also seen variations and diminutives, such as "Holland," which can sometimes be confused with the geographical name referring to the Netherlands, but retains its distinct identity in the context of English nomenclature. Overall, Howland embodies a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution and historical legacy.
Famous people named Howland
In this section, you will find notable people named Howland. 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 Howland who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Howland 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.
Howland Chamberlain is a writer best known for his works on the history of the American West, including The Great West and The American Frontier.
Howland S. Smith is a scientist best known for his research in the field of chemistry and contributions to the study of chemical reactions.
Fictional characters named Howland
The following list of fictional characters named Howland is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Howland Reed is a fictional character from the book series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin. He is the lord of Greywater Watch and a key ally of the Stark family, known for his wisdom and knowledge of the North.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Howland, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Howland. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Howland was first seen in the United States in 1915.
Howland has ranked as high as #6503 nationally, which occurred in 1915, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Howland has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Howland 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 Howland 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 Howland.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 | 5 |
| 1970 | 5 | 5 |
| 1952 | 6 | 6 |
| 1915 | 6 | 6 |
Top States for Howland
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.
No state data available for this year.