Howell
From Welsh Hywel. Doublet of Huell and Powell.
Every Howell since 1880 — 3,923 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Howell
Howell is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #6,947 in 2025 with 12 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 3,923 American babies have been named Howell. Its peak came in 1920, when 93 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Howell stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Howell year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | #6,947 |
| 2024 | 11 | #7,435 |
| 2023 | 10 | #7,924 |
| 2022 | 9 | #8,567 |
| 2021 | 9 | #8,422 |
| 2020 | 14 | #6,090 |
| 2019 | 6 | #11,286 |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | 5 | #12,995 |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | 7 | #9,946 |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | 5 | #12,844 |
| 2012 | 7 | #10,105 |
| 2011 | 6 | #11,366 |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | 7 | #10,282 |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | 10 | #7,323 |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | 8 | #8,127 |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | 11 | #6,181 |
| 2000 | 9 | #7,042 |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | 13 | #4,259 |
| 1985 | 7 | #5,384 |
| 1980 | 8 | #4,673 |
| 1975 | 12 | #3,136 |
| 1970 | 18 | #2,162 |
| 1965 | 26 | #1,538 |
| 1960 | 33 | #1,387 |
| 1955 | 48 | #1,086 |
| 1950 | 74 | #792 |
| 1945 | 50 | #906 |
| 1940 | 61 | #796 |
| 1935 | 55 | #846 |
| 1930 | 51 | #951 |
| 1925 | 79 | #734 |
| 1920 | 93 | #665 |
| 1915 | 68 | #719 |
| 1910 | 13 | #899 |
| 1905 | 14 | #649 |
| 1900 | 14 | #688 |
| 1895 | 16 | #516 |
| 1890 | 11 | #616 |
| 1885 | 8 | #734 |
| 1880 | 14 | #491 |
Famous people named Howell
- Howell Cobb Politician · 1815–1868
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Howell mean?
From Welsh Hywel. Doublet of Huell and Powell.
How popular is the name Howell in 2025?
Howell ranked #6,947 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 12 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Howell?
3,923 babies have been named Howell in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Howell most popular?
Howell peaked in 1920, when 93 newborns received the name.
Is Howell a boy or girl name?
Howell is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Howell rising or falling?
Howell is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Howell?
Well-known people named Howell include Howell Cobb (politician).