How to say it
HA · ven
ˈheɪ.vən
Unisex
Haven
Safe harbor, refuge
What it means
Middle English haven, 'harbor, port of safety.' Cognate with the Dutch and German Hafen. Used in modern English as a virtue name meaning 'refuge' or 'safe place.'
Haven comes from the Middle English haven, meaning 'harbor' or 'port of safety,' cognate with the Dutch and German Hafen. The word entered English from Old Norse höfn through Anglo-Saxon. The literal meaning of a sheltered harbor expanded by the 17th century to mean any 'refuge' or 'safe place.' As a given name Haven is modern and American. Jessica Alba named her daughter Haven (born 2011), giving the name celebrity-baby momentum. The Syfy show Haven (2010-2015), based on a Stephen King novella, used the name as a town. As a unisex first name Haven entered the US top 300 in 2018, leaning slightly feminine. Single short forms aren't common.
How to spell Haven
The standard spelling is Haven. Common variants include Havyn, Havynne, but Haven is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
Feminine: peaked at #190 in 2025, currently #190 in 2025.
Masculine: peaked at #745 in 1899, currently #1354 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pop culture
Jessica Alba's daughter Haven (born 2011) is a small celebrity-baby anchor; otherwise the name reads as a modern English virtue-name pick.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Haven Garner Warren Jessica Alba's daughter, born 2011
Spelling variants
- Havyn
- Havynne
Names with the same feeling
See Haven from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Haven mean?
- Middle English haven, 'harbor, port of safety.' Cognate with the Dutch and German Hafen. Used in modern English as a virtue name meaning 'refuge' or 'safe place.'
- What does Haven mean in English?
- In English, Haven means "Safe harbor, refuge." Haven comes from the Middle English haven, meaning 'harbor' or 'port of safety,' cognate with the Dutch and German Hafen. The word entered English from Old Norse höfn through Anglo-Saxon. The literal meaning of a sheltered harbor expanded by the 17th century to mean any 'refuge' or 'safe place.' As a given name Haven is modern and American. Jessica Alba named her daughter Haven (born 2011), giving the name celebrity-baby momentum. The Syfy show Haven (2010-2015), based on a Stephen King novella, used the name as a town. As a unisex first name Haven entered the US top 300 in 2018, leaning slightly feminine. Single short forms aren't common.
- How do you pronounce Haven?
- Haven is pronounced ˈheɪ.vən. Say it as HA-ven, with the stress on the "ha" syllable.
- How do you spell Haven?
- The standard spelling is Haven. Common spelling variants include Havyn, Havynne.
- Is Haven a boy or girl name?
- Haven is used for both boys and girls.
- How popular is the name Haven?
- Haven ranked #190 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.