Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Haven
GirlEnglish, Old English· “safe place, harbor”
- Meaning
- safe place, harbor
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- HAY-vuhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #190
- US babies 2025
- 1,642
- Best rank
- #190 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Haven
Haven is an English and Old English name that means “safe place, harbor”.
Haven is the English word for a harbor or a place of shelter and safety, from the Old English haefen. It appears in many place names, such as New Haven, and in phrases like safe haven. As a given name Haven is a modern American choice, used mostly for girls, and it carries a gentle sense of refuge, peace and protection. It sounds similar to Heaven and Hayden while having a distinct, grounded meaning. Haven is simple to spell and pronounce, and it works well both as a first name and as a middle name.
Popularity over time
Haven first appears in US Social Security records in 1920. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 29 different years, starting in 1996. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #190, and its highest count, 1,642 babies. Use has grown 65% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #4,620 in 1920, #2,765 in 1980, #776 in 2000, #647 in 2010, and #190 in 2025. Of the 22,889 US girls named Haven since records began, 39% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 7,797 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Celeste, Alora, Lia, Kaylani, and Kaia.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Haven ranked highest in South Dakota, Hawaii, and Wyoming.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | #64 | 14 |
| Hawaii | #83 | 9 |
| Wyoming | #89 | 5 |
| Michigan | #99 | 79 |
| Arkansas | #102 | 27 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 87% of US babies named Haven over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Haven is usually pronounced HAY-vuhn, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with H and ends in “-en”.
Middle names for Haven
A few middle names that flow with Haven: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Haven
Similar names
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Lists that include Haven
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Haven mean?
Haven is an English and Old English name that means “safe place, harbor”.
What is the origin of the name Haven?
Haven has English and Old English roots. Haven is the English word for a harbor or a place of shelter and safety, from the Old English haefen.
Is Haven a popular name?
Yes. Haven ranked #190 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Haven a boy or girl name?
Haven is mainly a girl's name. About 87% of US babies named Haven over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Haven?
Haven is usually pronounced HAY-vuhn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings