Hávarðr is an Old Norse masculine name that combines elements meaning "high battle" or simply "guardian in battle." The first element may come from either hár "high" or hǫð "battle, combat," while the second is vǫrðr "guard, guardian." This compound name reflects the warrior culture of the Norse world, where personal names often evoked strength, vigilance, or martial prowess.
The name Hávarðr is known from Old Norse sources, including runic inscriptions and medieval sagas. It is an early form of the modern Norwegian name Håvard, which remains in use today. The variation in the first element—between 'high' and 'battle'—is typical of the fluidity of Old Norse name formation, where similar-sounding words could be exchanged in compounds.
Hávarðr employs the noun vǫrðr, which is cognate with English 'ward' and 'warden.' This element appears in many other Norse names like Gunnvǫrðr (war-guard) or Hallvǫrðr (rock-guard). The name thus belongs to a productive onomastic pattern that combines a personal trait or battle-related term with a guardian suffix.