Find out how popular the first name Vandal has been for the last 1 years (from 2022 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Vandal by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Vandal is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Vandal.

The history of the first name Vandal

The given name Vandal has its origins in the Germanic tribe of the Vandals, who roamed across Europe from around the 2nd century to the 7th century AD. The name is derived from the Germanic word "wandljoz", meaning "wanderer" or "nomad", reflecting the migratory lifestyle of the Vandal people.

The Vandals were known for their conquest of Roman territories, including the sacking of Rome in 455 AD under the leadership of their king, Genseric. This event left an indelible mark on history, and the name Vandal became synonymous with destruction and barbarism, leading to the modern usage of the word "vandalism".

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Vandal can be found in the ancient Roman historian Tacitus' work "Germania", where he mentions the Vandals as a Germanic tribe residing in the region of modern-day Poland and western Ukraine.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals bearing the name Vandal. One of the most famous was Genseric, the Vandal king who led the sacking of Rome in 455 AD. Another notable figure was Gelimer, the last Vandal king, who was defeated and captured by the Byzantine general Belisarius in 534 AD, effectively ending the Vandal kingdom in North Africa.

In the Middle Ages, a notable figure named Vandal appears in the Nibelungenlied, a famous German epic poem from around the 13th century. In this work, Vandal is depicted as a warrior accompanying the legendary hero Siegfried.

During the Renaissance period, there was a German scholar and humanist named Vandal Rendius (1474-1545), who made significant contributions to the study of classical literature and languages.

In more recent times, Vandal Shippe (1859-1949) was a renowned American architect known for his work in the Beaux-Arts style, including the design of several prominent buildings in New York City.

While the name Vandal may have negative connotations due to its association with the destructive acts of the historical Vandal tribe, it has also been embraced by some individuals as a unique and distinctive name, serving as a reminder of the rich history and cultural heritage of the Germanic peoples.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Vandal was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Vandal, please contact us.

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