Wasil
Arabic name meaning "mediator" or "one who connects".
Name Census estimates that about 2 living Americans carry the first name Wasil. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Wasil today is around 111 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Wasil births was 1918 (11 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Wasil. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
For a British comparison, Name Census UK has a UK baby-name profile for Wasil with official rankings and popularity over time.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Wasil is about 111 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Wasils were born before 1925.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Wasil. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
2
~ 1 in 171,377,169 Americans
Peak year
1918
11 babies that year
Average age
111
years old
1928 SSA rank
#3,683
Tracked since 1913
Popularity
Wasil: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Wasil from the 1910s through to the 1920s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1920s, with 62 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Wasil by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Wasil during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Wasils live
Origin
Meaning and history of Wasil
The name Wasil has its origins in the Arabic language and culture. It is derived from the Arabic word "wasala," which means "to join" or "to connect." The name is believed to have been in use since the early days of Islam, around the 7th century.
In the Islamic tradition, Wasil is considered a virtuous name, as it signifies the idea of unity and connection with God. It is often given to children with the hope that they will grow up to be righteous individuals who maintain strong ties with their faith and community.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Wasil can be found in the works of renowned Islamic scholars and theologians from the 8th and 9th centuries. For example, Al-Wasil ibn Ata, who lived in the 8th century, was a prominent theologian and founder of the Mu'tazili school of Islamic theology.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Wasil. One of the most famous was Wasil ibn Ata (699-748), the aforementioned founder of the Mu'tazili school. Another prominent individual was Wasil ibn Hunayn (808-873), a renowned Arab mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of algebra.
In the 12th century, Wasil ibn al-Muzaffar (1079-1149) was a Seljuk ruler who governed parts of modern-day Iran and Iraq. He was known for his military campaigns and patronage of the arts and sciences.
During the Ottoman Empire, Wasil Pasha (1610-1660) was a notable Grand Vizier who served under Sultan Mehmed IV. He played a crucial role in the empire's military affairs and is remembered for his efforts to modernize the Ottoman army.
In more recent history, Wasil ibn Yahya (1859-1925) was a renowned Yemeni religious scholar and poet who played a significant role in the revival of Islamic studies in his region.
These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Wasil. While its usage may have varied across different cultures and time periods, the name has consistently carried a meaning of unity and connection, reflecting its Arabic roots.
People
Wasil + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Wasil as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with W
Other first names starting with W with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Wasil: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Wasil?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 2 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Wasil going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 171,377,169 US residents.
Is Wasil a common name?
We classify Wasil as "Very Rare". It ranks above 4.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 91 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Wasil most popular?
The single biggest year for Wasil was 1918, when 11 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Wasil is about 111 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Wasil in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Wasil a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Wasil in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Wasil still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Wasil in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Wasil can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How common is the name Wasil?
HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site, answers that with the living-bearer count in one glance.