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Hayes

Boy name · 7 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Hayes: 7 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 4 births in 2025.

Though often encountered as a surname, Hayes has a distinct history as a first name with Old English and Scottish roots. It derives from the Old English *hæg*, meaning “enclosure” or “hedge,” evolving into a habitational surname for someone who lived near such a boundary. As a given name, it found its most famous bearer in Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th President of the United States, who lent the name a stately, historical veneer. The name also shares its root with the Scottish place-name Hays, found in the Borders region, and carries a subtle link to the Irish surname Ó hAodha, meaning “descendant of Aodh” (fire). Modern parents appreciate Hayes for its clipped, surname-style charm.