US Popularity Rank: 10060

Origin: Irish

Meaning: Enclosure; Hedged area; Fire; Descendant of Aodh

Both a given name and surname, Hays is a masculine name of Irish and English origin. Stemming from the Old English word haye, it means “enclosure” or “hedged area.” It comes from the Gaelic surname Ó hAodha, meaning “descendant of Aodh” or “fire,” which can represent baby’s passionate, fiery spirit. Hays is a variant of the more popular name Hayes, borne by the 19th President of the United States, Rutherford Birchard Hayes, which might inspire your little one to strive for greatness. As a surname, Hays or Hayes was one of the top 100 most common surnames in the 1990s, while as a given name, it is quite unique, allowing baby to take pride in their individuality.