Hayes
Hayes: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /heɪz/
Meaning and origin of Hayes
Root meaning: “brushwood”
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
Etymology
As an English locational surname, from Old English hæs (“brushwood”) (see hris) and Middle English hay (“enclosure”), heye. *As an Irish surname, from Ó hAodha (“descendant of Aodh”).
How popular is Hayes?
Since 1880, 961 girls and 20,925 boys in the U.S. have been named Hayes (4% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1953 in 2020. Its highest rank for boys was #160 in 2024. In 2025 it ranked #162 for boys, with 2,327 babies given the name.
Names similar to Hayes
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Surname boy names
Sibling name ideas for Hayes
Sister and brother names that share Hayes's Surname roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Hayes FAQ
What does the name Hayes mean?
Hayes traces back to a root meaning "brushwood". A male given name transferred from the surname. As an English locational surname, from Old English hæs (“brushwood”) (see hris) and Middle English hay (“enclosure”), heye. *As an Irish surname, from Ó hAodha (“descendant of Aodh”).
What is the origin of the name Hayes?
Hayes is listed as a name of Surname (transferred from a surname) origin.
How popular is the name Hayes?
Since 1880, 961 girls and 20,925 boys in the U.S. have been named Hayes (4% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1953 in 2020. Its highest rank for boys was #160 in 2024. In 2025 it ranked #162 for boys, with 2,327 babies given the name.
Is Hayes a boy or girl name?
Hayes is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 961 girls and 20,925 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.