Find out how popular the first name Wa has been for the last 15 years (from 1982 to 1996) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Wa by gender

Based on the last 15 years of data, Wa is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1996, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Wa.

The history of the first name Wa

The name Wa has its origins in Ancient Egypt, dating back to around the 3rd millennium BC. It is derived from the Egyptian word "wa," which means "one" or "unique." The name was often used as a title or epithet for gods and pharaohs, emphasizing their singular and supreme status.

In ancient Egyptian mythology, the god Ra was sometimes referred to as "Wa-Ra," meaning "The Unique One" or "The Only One." This title highlighted Ra's position as the supreme deity and the creator of the universe. Similarly, some pharaohs adopted the name Wa or incorporated it into their royal titles to assert their divine status and authority.

The earliest recorded examples of the name Wa can be found in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic inscriptions and texts, such as the Pyramid Texts and the Coffin Texts. These texts, which date back to the Old Kingdom and the First Intermediate Period, contain numerous references to the name Wa in religious and funerary contexts.

One of the most notable historical figures to bear the name Wa was Wa-ankh-Amenemhat, a high-ranking official and nobleman who lived during the 12th Dynasty (circa 1991-1785 BC). He served as the vizier, or chief minister, under the pharaohs Amenemhat III and Amenemhat IV, and his tomb in Lisht has provided valuable insights into the life and customs of the ancient Egyptian elite.

Another famous bearer of the name was Wa-Ra-Nakhte, a powerful nomarch (provincial governor) who lived during the late Old Kingdom (circa 2345-2181 BC). He ruled over the 10th Upper Egyptian nome (province) and was known for his extensive building projects, including the construction of a massive funerary complex in Nag el-Deir.

In the realm of ancient Egyptian literature, the name Wa appears in the Tale of the Eloquent Peasant, a Middle Kingdom (circa 2055-1650 BC) literary work that recounts the story of a peasant's successful effort to seek justice from a high official. The protagonist's name is Wa-en-re, which means "Unique One of Ra."

Moving forward in time, the name Wa was also adopted by some Nubian rulers during the Napatan Period (circa 750-650 BC). One notable example is Wa-Ra-Ka, a Nubian king who ruled over the Kingdom of Kush in the 7th century BC and is known for his military campaigns and building projects.

In the realm of religion, the name Wa was also associated with the Buddhist concept of "emptiness" or "void" in East Asian traditions. The Japanese monk Wa-Kuan (1025-1072 AD) was a renowned Zen master and calligrapher who played a significant role in the development of Zen Buddhism in Japan.

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 Wa was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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