The first name Hayden
A unisex name from Dutch meaning “hay”, “valley”, “heathen”.
Pronounced /ˈheɪdn̩/ 2 syllables Unisex Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Dutch origin
Hayden means “hay”, “valley”, “heathen” in Dutch.
Originally a place name, from Old English heg (“hay”) + denu (“valley”). Alternatively, from Middle Dutch heiden (“heathen”).
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 141 boys were named Hayden, making it the 314th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2008, with 1,007 births (#71).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Hayden with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Hayden at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 2,268 boys born in the United States were named Hayden, the 161st most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2006, when 6,470 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Famous people named Hayden
17 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Hayden ChristensenCanadian actor (born 1981)
- Hayden FoxeAustralian association football player, born 1977
- Hayden WhiteAmerican historian (1928–2018)
- Hayden StoeckelAustralian swimmer, Olympic silver medallist, born 1984
- Hayden RorkeAmerican actor (1910–1987)
- Hayden ByerlyAmerican actor, born 2000
- Hayden MullinsEnglish association football manager and former player, born 1979
- Hayden StevensonActor (1877-1952)
- Hayden ThompsonAmerican musician, 1938–2025
- Hayden HackneyEnglish footballer, born 2002
- Hayden SzetoCanadian actor, born 1985
- Hayden McCormickCyclist, born 1994
More Dutch unisex names
Questions
- What does the name Hayden mean?
- Hayden means “hay”, “valley”, “heathen” in Dutch.
- What is the origin of the name Hayden?
- Originally a place name, from Old English heg (“hay”) + denu (“valley”). Alternatively, from Middle Dutch heiden (“heathen”).
- How popular is the name Hayden?
- In 2025, 141 boys born in England and Wales were named Hayden, ranking 314th. Its peak was 2008, with 1,007 births.
- Is Hayden a boy's or a girl's name?
- Both. Of the 147,508 US babies named Hayden since 1880, 23% were girls and 77% boys.
- When was Hayden most popular?
- 2006 in the United States, when 6,470 babies were named Hayden, its highest rank at 73rd.
- How do you pronounce Hayden?
- Hayden is /ˈheɪdn̩/, 2 syllables.
- Is Hayden also a surname?
- Yes. Hayden is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.