I think it's an adorable nickname, a great name for a pet, and excellent on the character - I loved the movie, too. But as a real first name? I'm not sure. I love the way the word looks, and I definitely could consider using it as a nn because it's fun and cute, but I still wouldn't call my child that. But it's definitely got "guily pleasure" appeal - I'm actually liking it more and more as I type this :-)
Combos:
Howl
MatthiasHowl
AlistairHowl
CaspianHowl
OliverHowl
WesleyHowl
IanHowl
EdwardHowl
TimothyHowl
ThomasHowl
AndrewHowl
CillianHowl
AngusHowl
LachlanHowl
CormacHowl
JanusHowl
CharlesHowl
JesperHowl
OwenHowl
FergusHowl
EdgarHowl
PatrickHowl
NeilHowl
VincentHowl
DanielHowl
LysanderHowl
GarethHowl
SimonHowl
DeclanHowl
ConstantineHowl
MarcusHowl
IvanHowl
JudeHowl
AdamHowl
NaoiseHowl
KaiHowl
EwanHowl
BenedictHowl
CassiusHowl
CalixHowl
JonahHowl
GeneHowl
James
Wow, I really like coming up with combos for this name! :-)