Ward

Ward is an English and Dutch given name derived from the Old English and Old Germanic element weard, meaning guard or watchman. It was originally a surname denoting a guardian or one who kept watch, and transferred to use as a given name over time, a pattern common in English-speaking countries. The name shares its root with the German Wart and is closely related to the surname-derived given name Warden. Notable bearers include the American sculptor and illustrator Ward, helping establish it as a recognizable personal name in North America.