"hedge dweller, from the enclosure"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Hayes
Pronunciation: [ h-AYZ ]
Does Hayes flow with your last name?
A presidential surname name with crisp modern appeal
English
Irish
American
Strong
Modern
Minimalist
Bold
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Hayes
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Hayes
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"descendant of Aodh (fire)"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Hayes
See all →What the Hayes report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Hayes the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Hayes
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Hayes head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Hayes actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Hayes
Hayes is an English and Irish surname with two distinct origins. The English form derives from Old English 'hæg' or 'gehæg' meaning hedge or enclosed land — originally given to someone who lived near hedges or a hedged enclosure. The Irish form is an anglicization of Ó hAodha, meaning 'descendant of Aodh' (a name meaning fire). As a given name, Hayes follows the contemporary trend of strong, monosyllabic surnames becoming first names.
Hayes entered the US boys' top 500 around 2014 and has been rising steadily as part of the short, strong surname-name trend alongside Brooks, Grant, and Reid. It appeals to parents wanting something presidential yet fresh.
Rutherford B. Hayes was the 19th US President (1877-1881), giving the name American presidential heritage. The Hayes surname is the 11th most common in Ireland, where it comes from the Gaelic Ó hAodha. Both origins — English hedgerow and Irish fire — offer rich narrative possibilities.
Historical Record
Hayes first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 17,104 babies have been named Hayes in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Hayes is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #160 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Rutherford B. Hayes was the 19th US President and the first to take the oath of office in the White House
- Hayes is the anglicization of the Irish Ó hAodha, meaning descendant of Aodh — the fire god of Celtic mythology
- The Hayes surname is the 11th most common surname in Ireland
Hayes in Other Languages
Irish
Ó hAodha
French
Hayes
German
Hayes
Spanish
Hayes
Popularity Over Time
#160
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Hayes
H
Hunter Hayes
Musician
1991
American country pop singer-songwriter known for the hit Wanted
R
Rutherford B. Hayes
Politician
1822
19th President of the United States (1877-1881), the first president to take the oath of office in the White House
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Ian
Boy
"God is gracious"
#75
Joseph
Boy
"God will add, God will increase"
#32
Malachi
Boy
"messenger of God"
#149
Greyson
Boy
"son of the grey-haired one"
#127
Jordan
Boy
"to flow down, descend"
#104
Compare Hayes with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #160
- Total SSA Count
- 2,249
- Cultural Origins
- English Irish American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Nicknames
Hay
Haie
Haykins
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Hayes
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Hayes fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Hayes is also used as a girl name, ranked #2547.
View Hayes as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Hayes →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Hayes with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Hayes
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Hayes and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Hayes sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Ian
Boy
Hebrew (via Scottish Gaelic) origin
"God is gracious"
#75 in US
Joseph
Boy
Hebrew origin
"God will add, God will increase"
#32 in US
Malachi
Boy
Hebrew origin
"messenger of God"
#149 in US
Greyson
Boy
English origin
"son of the grey-haired one"
#127 in US
Jordan
Boy
Hebrew origin
"to flow down, descend"
#104 in US
Jayce
Boy
Greek origin
"healer"
#169 in US
Luke
Boy
Latin lux associated meaning origin
"light, bringer of light"
#34 in US
Josiah
Boy
Hebrew origin
"fire of the Lord"
#53 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Hayes's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hayes
What does the name Hayes mean?
"hedge dweller, from the enclosure" (from Old English). "descendant of Aodh (fire)" (from Irish Gaelic). Hayes is an English and Irish surname with two distinct origins. The English form derives from Old English 'hæg' or 'gehæg' meaning hedge or enclosed land — originally given to someone who lived near hedges or a hedged enclosure. The Irish form is an anglicization of Ó hAodha, meaning 'descendant of Aodh' (a name meaning fire). As a given name, Hayes follows the contemporary trend of strong, monosyllabic surnames becoming first names.
What is the origin of the name Hayes?
Hayes has Old English, Irish Gaelic, English, Irish, and American origins. In Old English, it means "hedge dweller, from the enclosure". In Irish Gaelic, it means "descendant of Aodh (fire)".
Is Hayes a boy or girl name?
Hayes is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #160. As a girl name, it is ranked #2547. Hayes is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Hayes?
Hayes is pronounced h-AYZ.
How popular is the name Hayes?
Hayes is currently ranked #160 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Hayes?
Common nicknames for Hayes include Hay, Haie, and Haykins.
What are good middle names for Hayes?
Popular middle name pairings include Hayes Alexander, Hayes James, Hayes William, Hayes Michael, Hayes Oliver, Hayes Thomas, and Hayes Daniel.
What are good sibling names for Hayes?
Names that pair well with Hayes as siblings include Parker, Quinn, Sawyer, Reid, Monroe, Emerson, Brooks, and Blair.
How many syllables does Hayes have?
Hayes has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Hayes a common or rare name?
Hayes is a popular name, ranked #160 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Hayes
Hayes is a boy name with English, Irish, and American origins . The name means "hedge dweller, from the enclosure" in Old English .
Is Hayes a boy or girl name? Hayes is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #160 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #2,547. Hayes is more commonly used as a boy name.
Hayes is currently ranked #160 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Hayes has 1 syllable and is pronounced h-AYZ, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Hayes include Hay, Haie, and Haykins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Old English Names
Browse all names with this origin
H
Names Starting with H
More boy names like Hayes
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis