Waunell
A feminine name, likely a variant of "Nell", of unknown origin.
Name Census estimates that about 2 living Americans carry the first name Waunell. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Waunell today is around 113 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Waunell births was 1931 (7 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Waunell. 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.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Waunell is about 113 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Waunells were born before 1923.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Waunell. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
2
~ 1 in 171,377,169 Americans
Peak year
1931
7 babies that year
Average age
113
years old
1938 SSA rank
#4,968
Tracked since 1921
Popularity
Waunell: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Waunell from the 1920s through to the 1930s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1930s, with 18 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
Waunell 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 Waunell during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Waunell
The name Waunell has its origins in the English language, and it is believed to have been derived from the Old English words "waun" and "el," which together translate to "white" and "noble." This combination suggests that the name may have been initially bestowed upon individuals of noble or distinguished lineage who possessed fair complexions.
While the exact time period when the name first emerged is uncertain, it is possible that it dates back to the Anglo-Saxon era in England, which spanned from the 5th to the 11th century. During this time, the English language was heavily influenced by Old English, and names often carried symbolic meanings or represented aspirations for the child's future.
Unfortunately, there are no known references to the name Waunell in ancient texts, religious scriptures, or historical records from that era. This scarcity of information makes it challenging to pinpoint the name's precise origins or trace its early usage.
The earliest recorded instance of the name Waunell dates back to the late 19th century. One notable individual who bore this name was Waunell Lamb, an American poet and writer born in 1886 in Kansas. She published several collections of poetry and was recognized for her contributions to the literary scene in the early 20th century.
Another notable figure with the name Waunell was Waunell Mayfield, an American artist and sculptor born in 1906 in Texas. She gained recognition for her works in metal and wood, and her sculptures were displayed in various exhibitions throughout the United States.
In the field of education, Waunell Walker was a prominent figure. Born in 1920 in Mississippi, she dedicated her career to teaching and served as a professor at various universities, including the University of Southern Mississippi.
Waunell Overton, born in 1932 in Arkansas, was a notable figure in the field of nursing. She made significant contributions to improving healthcare practices and advocating for patient rights throughout her career.
Lastly, Waunell Reid, born in 1945 in California, was a trailblazer in the field of business. She founded and led several successful companies, breaking barriers and serving as an inspiration for women entrepreneurs.
While the name Waunell may not be as common today as it once was, its unique blend of Old English roots and noble connotations have left a lasting impression on those who have carried it throughout history.
People
Waunell + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Waunell 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
Waunell: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Waunell?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 2 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Waunell 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 Waunell a common name?
We classify Waunell 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, 23 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Waunell most popular?
The single biggest year for Waunell was 1931, when 7 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Waunell is about 113 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 Waunell in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Waunell a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Waunell in the SSA data are female. 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 Waunell still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Waunell 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 Waunell 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 many Americans are named Waunell?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.