Nicknames:
Howie, Ward.
Famous people named Howard:
Politician Howard Dean; radio personality Howard Stern; sports broadcaster Howard Cosell; actor Howard "Howie" Mandel; aviation pioneer/film mogul Howard Hughes.
Fun fact:
Pop culture has a few undercover Howards - like rapper Howard Bailey, Jr. (a.k.a. Chingy) and writer Howard "H.P." Lovecraft.