Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Hayden
UnisexEnglish, Old English· “hay valley”
- Meaning
- hay valley
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- HAY-duhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #161
- US babies 2025
- 2,268
- Best rank
- #71 (2007)
- Peak year
- 2006
Meaning and origin of Hayden
Hayden is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “hay valley”.
Hayden comes from an English surname drawn from place names, usually explained as hay valley, from Old English heg, hay, and denu, valley. Some sources give heath hill for similar place names, so the exact meaning depends on the location. The composer Joseph Haydn is sometimes linked with the name, though his surname has a separate German origin. In the United States Hayden rose as a unisex name, used for both boys and girls. Its soft, two-syllable sound fits current tastes, and spellings include Haden, Haydn and Hayden.
Other spellings with the same sound: Haden, Haydon.
Popularity over time
Hayden has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 90 different years. Its best national rank was #71 in 2007, and the most babies received it in 2006, when 6,470 were named Hayden. In 2025, 2,268 babies were named Hayden, and it ranked #161 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #848 in 1920, #1,056 in 1950, #1,013 in 1980, #129 in 2000, #96 in 2010, and #161 in 2025. Of the 114,084 US boys named Hayden since records began, 44% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 29,905 babies. Since 2010, 43,417 more have been named Hayden.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Hayden ranked highest in Wyoming, Iowa, and Kentucky.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | #42 | 10 |
| Iowa | #62 | 51 |
| Kentucky | #66 | 70 |
| West Virginia | #89 | 21 |
| South Carolina | #106 | 49 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Hayden is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 30% of US babies named Hayden were girls and 70% were boys.
Hayden is usually pronounced HAY-duhn, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with H and ends in “-en”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Haden and Haydon.
Middle names for Hayden
A few middle names that flow with Hayden: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Hayden
Similar names
Camden Boy
KAM-dihn
“enclosed valley” · Old English
#205
Holden Boy
HOHL-den
“hollow valley” · Old English
#297
Haven Girl
HAY-vuhn
“safe place, harbor” · English
#190
Aspen Girl
AS-puhn
“aspen tree” · English
#266
Heaven Girl
HEH-vuhn
“heaven, the sky” · English
#543
Raven Girl
RAY-vuhn
“raven, the black bird” · English
#404
Alden Boy
AWL-den
“old friend” · English
#598
Landen Boy
LAN-duhn
“long hill” · English
#1,045
Lauren Girl
LOR-uhn
“from Laurentum; linked to laurel” · English
#401
Wren Girl
REHN
“wren, a small songbird” · English
#231
Rowen Unisex
ROH-uhn
“little red one; also rowan tree” · Irish
#488
Arden Unisex
AR-den
“from the Forest of Arden” · English
#975
Lists that include Hayden
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Hayden mean?
Hayden is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “hay valley”.
What is the origin of the name Hayden?
Hayden has English and Old English roots. Hayden comes from an English surname drawn from place names, usually explained as hay valley, from Old English heg, hay, and denu, valley.
Is Hayden a popular name?
Yes. Hayden ranked #161 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Hayden a boy or girl name?
Hayden is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 30% of US babies named Hayden were girls and 70% were boys.
How do you pronounce Hayden?
Hayden is usually pronounced HAY-duhn. 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