Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ward
BoyOld English· “guard, watchman”
- Meaning
- guard, watchman
- Origin
- Old English
- Pronunciation
- WORD
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #2,877
- US babies 2025
- 44
- Best rank
- #243 (1899)
- Peak year
- 1961
Meaning and origin of Ward
Ward is an Old English name that means “guard, watchman”.
Ward is an English surname and given name from Old English weard, guard or watchman. The surname was given to someone who kept watch or guarded a place. As a first name it is familiar through the actor Ward Bond and through Ward Cleaver, the father in Leave It to Beaver. It is said WORD. The same Old English element appears in Edward, where it means guardian, and in Howard. It is short and old-fashioned, and its meaning is clear to anyone who knows the English word.
Popularity over time
Ward 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 93 different years. Its best national rank was #243 in 1899, and the most babies received it in 1961, when 341 were named Ward. In 2025, 44 babies were named Ward, and it ranked #2,877 nationally. That is 63% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #347 in 1920, #518 in 1950, #1,431 in 1980, #4,775 in 2000, #5,237 in 2010, and #2,877 in 2025. Of the 15,026 US boys named Ward since records began, 17% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 2,240 babies. Since 2010, 580 more have been named Ward.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Randell, Alphonso, Dino, Mitch, and Rich.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ward ranked highest in Florida.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | #2080 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 89% of US babies named Ward over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Ward is usually pronounced WORD, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with W and ends in “-rd”.
Middle names for Ward
A few middle names that flow with Ward: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ward
Similar names
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Lists that include Ward
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ward mean?
Ward is an Old English name that means “guard, watchman”.
What is the origin of the name Ward?
Ward has Old English roots. Ward is an English surname and given name from Old English weard, guard or watchman.
Is Ward a popular name?
Not especially. Ward ranked #2,877 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ward a boy or girl name?
Ward is mainly a boy's name. About 89% of US babies named Ward over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Ward?
Ward is usually pronounced WORD. 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