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Hayden

♂ Boy

Pronounced HAY-den /ˈheɪ.dən/High

Meaning: Hay valley — from Old English <em>hēg</em> (hay) + <em>denu</em> (valley), or <em>hēg</em> + <em>dūn</em> (hill)High

In 30 seconds: An Old English place-name meaning 'hay valley,' Hayden is a surname-name that fits the -ayden sound wave of the 2000s while carrying deeper roots than its rhyming cousins Jayden and Brayden.
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Origin HighOld English
MeaningHay valley — from Old English <em>hēg</em> (hay) + <em>denu</em> (valley), or <em>hēg</em> + <em>dūn</em> (hill)
Peak year2006
Total births (all-time)≈ 96,185

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200618802017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Hayden is an English habitational surname from places called Hayden or Heydon, derived from Old English hēg (hay) combined with either denu (valley) or dūn (hill). It has been an English surname since the medieval period. It is distinct from but sometimes confused with the Austrian composer surname Haydn.

Hayden became popular as a given name in the United States during the 1990s and 2000s, benefiting from the -ayden sound trend while maintaining an older surname-name heritage. It has been used for both boys and girls, though the boys' usage is more prevalent. Actress Hayden Panettiere helped popularize the girls' usage.

Did you know? Composer Joseph Haydn (1732–1809) — whose name is spelled slightly differently — was one of the most prolific composers of the Classical era, writing 104 symphonies. Many American parents spell the name Hayden in his indirect honour.

Variations

HadenHaiden

Nicknames

Hay

Famous Bearers

  • ★Hayden Panettiere (b. 1989)
    American actress known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville.

If you like Hayden…

Brayden— member of the same -ayden rhyme group from the same era
Jayden— the defining name of the -ayden trend that Hayden rides
Landon— two-syllable Old English surname-name popular in the same period

Frequently Asked

What does the name Hayden mean?

Hayden is an Old English place-name meaning 'hay valley' or 'hay hill,' from <em>hēg</em> (hay) and <em>denu</em> (valley) or <em>dūn</em> (hill).

How do you pronounce Hayden?

Hayden is pronounced HAY-den /ˈheɪ.dən/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Hayden a boy or girl name?

Hayden is used for both boys and girls in the U.S., but is more common for boys.

How popular is Hayden?

Hayden was in the U.S. top 100 boys' names during the height of the -ayden trend in the 2000s and remains in the top 200.