Find out how popular the first name Waldy has been for the last 16 years (from 1990 to 2005) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Waldy by gender

Based on the last 16 years of data, Waldy is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2005, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Waldy.

The history of the first name Waldy

The name Waldy finds its origins in the Germanic languages, with roots dating back to the early medieval period. It is believed to be a variation of the Old High German name Waltheri, which itself is derived from the elements "waltan" meaning "to rule" and "heri" meaning "army." This combination suggests a meaning along the lines of "ruler of the army" or "commanding leader."

In its earliest recorded instances, the name appeared in various Germanic tribes and kingdoms scattered across central and western Europe during the 5th to 10th centuries. Alternate spellings from this era include Walderich, Waldhari, and Waltharius. One of the earliest known bearers of a similar name was Waltharius, a legendary Aquitanian hero celebrated in a 10th-century Latin epic poem known as the Waltharius.

As the name spread and evolved over the centuries, it took on various forms in different languages and cultures. In Old English, it became Waldhere, while in Old Norse it was rendered as Valdari. These variants reveal the name's widespread use among the Germanic peoples of the early medieval period.

One notable historical figure bearing a version of this name was Waldemar I, also known as Waldemar the Great, who reigned as King of Denmark from 1157 to 1182. He is credited with consolidating and expanding the Danish kingdom, and his reign marked a period of significant political and military power for Denmark.

Another figure of note was Waldemar Atterdag, who ruled as King of Denmark from 1340 to 1375. He played a crucial role in reuniting the territories of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway under Danish rule, establishing the Kalmar Union.

In the 13th century, there was also a Count Waldemar of Arnstein, a German nobleman and crusader who participated in the Fifth Crusade and later became a prominent figure in the Holy Roman Empire.

Shifting to the literary realm, one cannot overlook the character of Waldhere in the Old English epic poem Waldere, which likely dates back to the 8th or 9th century. This heroic figure is believed to have been inspired by the legendary Waltharius mentioned earlier.

Furthermore, the name Waldemar has been borne by several Russian nobles and princes throughout history, such as Waldemar Pawlowicz Musin-Pushkin (1798-1854), a prominent Russian statesman and diplomat during the reign of Nicholas I.

While these examples span various time periods and cultures, they all underscore the enduring legacy and historical significance of the name Waldy and its variants, rooted in the Germanic traditions of the early medieval era.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!