Howard vs Terry

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Howard

Boy #1,056 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"high guardian, high watchman"

Origin: Old Norse

Cultural Roots

English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,056
Total SSA Count
207
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Howie, Ward

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Howard →

Popularity Comparison

Howard Rank #1,056
Terry Rank #1,187

Howard is more popular, ranked #1056 vs #1187 for Terry.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Howard ___

  • Howard James
  • Howard Lee
  • Howard Dean
  • Howard Allen
  • Howard Eugene
  • Howard Albert

Terry ___

  • Terry James
  • Terry Michael
  • Terry Lee
  • Terry Wayne
  • Terry Allen
  • Terry Ray

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Howard

Clarence Bernard Edmund Dorothy Mildred

If you choose Terry

Jerry Bobby Jimmy Carrie Debbie

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Howard or Terry more popular?

Howard is more popular, ranked #1056 compared to Terry at #1187 in the United States.

What do Howard and Terry mean?

Howard means "high guardian, high watchman" (Old Norse origin). Terry means "power of the tribe" (Germanic origin).

Are Howard and Terry boy or girl names?

Howard is primarily a boy name. Terry is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Howard ← Full profile: Terry Browse all baby names