Howie is a diminutive of Howard.EtymologyAs a given name, Howie derives from Howard, an English surname with multiple origins. Howard itself can come from the Anglo-Norman given name Huard, from the Germanic Hughard, the Anglo-Scandinavian Haward from Old Norse Hávarðr, or the Middle English ewehirde meaning "ewe herder." However, as a surname, Howie has a separate origin: it is a Scottish locational surname from a medieval estate in Ayrshire, southwest Scotland, described as "the lands of How," the exact location of which is lost. The word "How" predates written history and from the ancient Kingdom of Strathclyde means a "hollow" (deep valley). The oldest public record of the surname dates to 1526 in Brechin.Notable BearersNotable individuals with the surname Howie include: Al Howie, Canadian athlete; Alison Howie, Scottish field hockey player; Archibald Howie, British physicist; Fanny Howie, New Zealand singer and composer; Forbes Howie, Scottish businessman; George Howie, American racecar driver; Gillian Howie, British philosopher; and Gordon Howie, American …Cultural SignificanceHowie is primarily used as a masculine given name in English-speaking countries, particularly as a familiar or affectionate form of Howard. It may also be encountered as a surname.Meaning: Diminutive of HowardOrigin: EnglishType: First name (masculine) and surnameUsage regions: English-speaking countries