What does Hayden mean?
Hayden comes from an English surname and place name meaning “hay hill” or “hay valley.” It is used for both boys and girls.
What does Parker mean?
An English occupational surname, “keeper of the park.”
Hayden vs Parker
Which is more popular?
Parker is more popular than Hayden today: about 3,477 US babies were given the name Parker in 2025, compared with 2,268 named Hayden.
| Hayden | Parker | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Hay valley | Park keeper |
| Origin | English | English |
| Gender | Unisex | Unisex |
| Pronunciation | HAY-den | PAR-ker |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 2006 (6,470) | 2014 (5,720) |
| In 2025 | 2,268 | 3,477 |
| Trend | Declining | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Hayden
Parker
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Hayden | Parker |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 13,512 | 22,420 |
| 2010s | 29,905 | 49,234 |
| 2000s | 50,049 | 35,729 |
| 1990s | 16,350 | 16,234 |
| 1980s | 1,006 | 2,800 |
| 1970s | 446 | 632 |
| 1960s | 325 | 524 |
| 1950s | 339 | 568 |
| 1940s | 435 | 578 |
| 1930s | 418 | 559 |
| 1920s | 620 | 728 |
| 1910s | 487 | 546 |
| 1900s | 91 | 143 |
| 1890s | 73 | 134 |
| 1880s | 28 | 112 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Hayden or Parker more popular?
Parker is more popular than Hayden today: about 3,477 US babies were given the name Parker in 2025, compared with 2,268 named Hayden.
What is the difference between Hayden and Parker?
Hayden means Hay valley (English origin), while Parker means Park keeper (English origin).
Which name is older, Hayden or Parker?
In US records, Hayden first appears in 1880 and Parker in 1880, so Hayden has the longer recorded history.