Find out how popular the first name Wei has been for the last 44 years (from 1974 to 2017) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Wei by gender

Based on the last 44 years of data, Wei is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 77% of people named Wei being male.

For the most recent data in 2017, there were 8 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Wei.

The history of the first name Wei

The given name Wei has its origins in Chinese languages and cultures. It is a monosyllabic Chinese name that dates back centuries. The name Wei is derived from the Old Chinese word 'wee', which means 'tiny' or 'small'. It was originally used to describe someone petite in stature or of a meek nature.

Wei appears in several ancient Chinese texts and records. One of the earliest references is found in the Book of Songs, a collection of ancient folk songs and poems dating back to the 6th century BC. The name is also mentioned in the historical records of the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD), one of the most influential periods in Chinese history.

The name Wei has been borne by numerous notable figures throughout Chinese history. One of the earliest recorded examples is Wei Qing (336 - 386 AD), a renowned calligrapher and painter during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Another prominent figure was Wei Zheng (580 - 643 AD), a highly respected statesman and historian during the Tang Dynasty.

During the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279 AD), Wei Yuan (1794 - 1857) was a prominent scholar and historian who advocated for political and military reforms. In more modern times, Wei Chen (1877 - 1959) was a celebrated artist and one of the pioneers of the Chinese modern painting movement.

The name Wei has also been borne by several influential philosophers and thinkers. Wei Zhuang (369 - 286 BC) was a renowned Chinese philosopher who advocated for living a simple and natural life, in harmony with the Tao. Wei Yuan (1794 - 1857) was a prominent scholar and reformist during the Qing Dynasty, known for his influential writings on modernizing China.

While the name Wei has a long and rich history in Chinese cultures, it has also been adopted and used in other parts of the world, particularly in East Asian communities. However, the name's origins and deepest roots can be traced back to the ancient Chinese languages and civilizations.

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

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

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