Find out how popular the first name Wagner has been for the last 44 years (from 1980 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Wagner by gender

Based on the last 44 years of data, Wagner is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Wagner.

The history of the first name Wagner

The given name Wagner has its origins in the Germanic language family. It can be traced back to the Old High German word "wagan" or "wagon", which means "to carry" or "to transport". This suggests that the name may have originally been an occupational name for someone who worked as a wagon driver or builder.

The name Wagner first appeared in written records during the medieval period, around the 12th century. It was commonly used throughout German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly in areas that are now part of modern-day Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

One of the earliest known historical figures with the name Wagner was a German composer named Richard Wagner, who lived from 1813 to 1883. He is renowned for his operas, including "Der Ring des Nibelungen" and "Tristan und Isolde", and is considered one of the most influential composers of the Romantic era.

Another notable figure with the name Wagner was the German philosopher and economist Adolph Wagner, who lived from 1835 to 1917. He is known for his contributions to the field of public finance and his advocacy for social welfare policies.

In the field of astronomy, the name Wagner is associated with Rudolf Wagner, a German astronomer who lived from 1805 to 1864. He is best known for his work on comets and asteroids, and for discovering several minor planets.

The name Wagner has also been borne by several famous athletes throughout history. One example is Honus Wagner, an American baseball player who lived from 1874 to 1955. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and is considered one of the greatest players of the early 20th century.

Finally, in the realm of literature, the name Wagner is linked to the German writer Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller, who lived from 1759 to 1805. He is renowned for his plays, such as "Wilhelm Tell" and "Die Räuber", and is regarded as one of the most influential figures of the Sturm und Drang literary movement.

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

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

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