Find out how popular the first name Wences has been for the last 22 years (from 2001 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Wences by gender

Based on the last 22 years of data, Wences is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Wences.

The history of the first name Wences

The name Wences is derived from the Slavic name Wenceslas, which has its origins in the Czech language. It is a combination of the words "venets" meaning "more venerable" and "lav" meaning "lion". Wenceslas was the name of a Duke of Bohemia who lived from around 907 to 935 AD.

The name Wenceslas gained widespread recognition and popularity after Duke Wenceslas of Bohemia was martyred and later became the patron saint of Bohemia. His life and martyrdom were documented in the Latin text "Vita Antiquior Sancti Vencezlavi Ducis Bohemiae", written in the late 10th century.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Wenceslas can be found in the "Chronica Boemorum" or "Chronicle of the Bohemians", a historical text written in the 12th century by the Bohemian chronicler Cosmas of Prague. The name Wenceslas has been associated with several historical figures throughout the centuries.

One notable bearer of the name was Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia from 1230 to 1253. Another was Wenceslaus IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor from 1378 to 1419. The name Wenceslas was also borne by several saints and religious figures, including Saint Wenceslaus of Prague (907-935) and Saint Wenceslaus of Trani (1275-1326).

In English literature, the name Wenceslas is perhaps best known from the Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas", which tells the story of a Bohemian king who braved harsh winter weather to give alms to a poor peasant. The carol was written in the 19th century and has its roots in the legend of Saint Wenceslas of Prague.

Other notable individuals with the name Wenceslas or its variation Wences include Wenceslao Selgas y Carrasco (1809-1888), a Spanish writer and politician, and Wenceslao Emilio Vigil Quintana (1894-1983), a Nicaraguan politician who served as President of Nicaragua from 1936 to 1937.

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

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

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