How to say it
HAY · den
ˈheɪ.dən
Unisex
Hayden
Hay valley
What it means
Old English place name from hēg ('hay') + denu ('valley') or possibly from Old Norse heia ('high'). The same root family as Hayley and Hadley.
Hayden is an English place name from Old English hēg ('hay') + denu ('valley'), giving 'hay valley.' Some etymologists prefer an alternate reading from Old Norse heia ('heath') + denu, giving 'heath valley.' The surname has been steady for centuries. Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequels) and Hayden Panettiere (Heroes, Nashville) are the strongest modern English-language anchors. As a first name Hayden surged in the US in the early 2000s and went unisex; the masculine usage has held while the feminine has slid. It's been in the US top 200 since 2001.
How to spell Hayden
The standard spelling is Hayden. Common variants include Haden, Haydn, but Hayden is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
Feminine: peaked at #127 in 2008, currently #437 in 2025.
Masculine: peaked at #71 in 2007, currently #161 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
Hayden Christensen (Star Wars prequels, 1999-2005) and Hayden Panettiere (Heroes, 2006-2010, then Nashville) are the dominant English-language anchors.
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.
- Hayden Christensen Canadian actor, Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequels
- Hayden Panettiere American actress, Heroes and Nashville
Spelling variants
- Haden
- Haydn
Names with the same feeling
See Hayden from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Hayden mean?
- Old English place name from hēg ('hay') + denu ('valley') or possibly from Old Norse heia ('high'). The same root family as Hayley and Hadley.
- What does Hayden mean in Old English?
- In Old English, Hayden means "Hay valley." Hayden is an English place name from Old English hēg ('hay') + denu ('valley'), giving 'hay valley.' Some etymologists prefer an alternate reading from Old Norse heia ('heath') + denu, giving 'heath valley.' The surname has been steady for centuries. Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequels) and Hayden Panettiere (Heroes, Nashville) are the strongest modern English-language anchors. As a first name Hayden surged in the US in the early 2000s and went unisex; the masculine usage has held while the feminine has slid. It's been in the US top 200 since 2001.
- How do you pronounce Hayden?
- Hayden is pronounced ˈheɪ.dən. Say it as HAY-den, with the stress on the "hay" syllable.
- How do you spell Hayden?
- The standard spelling is Hayden. Common spelling variants include Haden, Haydn.
- Is Hayden a boy or girl name?
- Hayden is used for both boys and girls.
- How popular is the name Hayden?
- Hayden ranked #437 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.