"hedged area, forest clearing"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Hayes
Pronunciation: [ h-AYZ ]
Does Hayes flow with your last name?
A sharp, single-syllable name with Old English roots
English
Irish
American
Strong
Vintage
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: Irish
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 derives from Old English haes meaning brushwood or hedged area, referring to a clearing in the forest or land enclosed by hedges. Like many Old English surnames, it originally described where a family lived. It became an Irish surname through the Gaelic O Haodha (descendant of Aodh, meaning fire), creating two separate etymological paths that merged into the same spelling.
Hayes has been rising as a girls name in the United States since the 2010s, driven by the popularity of one-syllable surname names for girls. The presidential connection (Rutherford B. Hayes) gives it gravitas, while its crisp single syllable makes it feel modern.
Hayes carries the strong Anglo-American surname tradition. As a girls name, it joins ranks with other surname-names like Quinn, Blake, and Brooks that have crossed gender lines. In Irish tradition, it connects to the ancient Gaelic name Aodh, meaning fire.
Historical Record
Hayes first appeared in US Social Security records in 1993.
Over 873 babies have been named Hayes in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Hayes is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #2,547 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Hayes is the 19th US presidential surname (Rutherford B. Hayes)
- The Irish version Ó hAodha means descendant of fire
- Single-syllable surname names for girls are one of the fastest-growing naming trends
Hayes in Other Languages
Irish
O Haodha
English
Hayes
Popularity Over Time
#2,547
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Cristal
Girl
"clear ice, rock crystal"
#2,612
Joanne
Girl
"gift of God"
#2,584
Bryce
Girl
"of the clan of Bricius"
#2,540
Mirabel
Girl
"wonderful, marvelous"
#2,376
Aliyana
Girl
"going up, elevation"
#2,361
Compare Hayes with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #2,547
- Total SSA Count
- 70
- Cultural Origins
- English Irish American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
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 Boy Name
Hayes is also used as a boy name, ranked #160.
View Hayes as a boy 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 →
Cristal
Girl
Greek origin
"clear ice, rock crystal"
#2,612 in US
Joanne
Girl
Late Latin origin
"gift of God"
#2,584 in US
Bryce
Girl
Scottish surname origin
"of the clan of Bricius"
#2,540 in US
Mirabel
Girl
Latin origin
"wonderful, marvelous"
#2,376 in US
Aliyana
Girl
Hebrew origin
"going up, elevation"
#2,361 in US
Iylah
Girl
Scottish origin
"island (from Isla)"
#2,478 in US
Precious
Girl
Latin via Old French origin
"of great value, beloved, cherished"
#2,562 in US
Adora
Girl
Latin origin
"adored, beloved"
#2,437 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?
"hedged area, forest clearing" (from Old English). "descendant of Aodh (fire)" (from Irish Gaelic). Hayes derives from Old English haes meaning brushwood or hedged area, referring to a clearing in the forest or land enclosed by hedges. Like many Old English surnames, it originally described where a family lived. It became an Irish surname through the Gaelic O Haodha (descendant of Aodh, meaning fire), creating two separate etymological paths that merged into the same spelling.
What is the origin of the name Hayes?
Hayes has Old English, Irish Gaelic, English, Irish, and American origins. In Old English, it means "hedged area, forest clearing". In Irish Gaelic, it means "descendant of Aodh (fire)".
Is Hayes a boy or girl name?
Hayes is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2547. As a boy name, it is ranked #160. 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 #2547 in popularity for girl 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 Elizabeth, Hayes Grace, Hayes Marie, Hayes Ann, Hayes Louise, Hayes Rose, and Hayes Jo.
What are good sibling names for Hayes?
Names that pair well with Hayes as siblings include Quinn, Greer, Fletcher, Sutton, Blythe, Hudson, and Piper.
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 an uncommon name, ranked #2547 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Hayes
Hayes is a girl name with English, Irish, and American origins . The name means "hedged area, forest clearing" in Old English .
Is Hayes a boy or girl name? Hayes is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,547 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #160. Hayes is more commonly used as a boy name.
Hayes is currently ranked #2,547 in popularity for girl 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 girl 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 Girl 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