Wendal
A masculine name of Germanic origin meaning "wanderer" or "wandering spirit".
Name Census estimates that about 98 living Americans carry the first name Wendal. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Wendal today is around 67 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Wendal births was 1955 (11 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Wendal. 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 Wendal is about 67 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Wendals were born before 1969.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Wendal. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
98
~ 1 in 3,497,493 Americans
Peak year
1955
11 babies that year
Average age
67
years old
1987 SSA rank
#8,104
Tracked since 1918
Popularity
Wendal: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Wendal from the 1910s through to the 1980s, spanning 8 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1960s, with 51 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1960s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Wendal 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 Wendal 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 Wendal
The name Wendal has its origins in the Germanic language and culture, tracing its roots back to the early medieval period. It is derived from the Old Germanic "Wendan," meaning "to wander" or "to travel." This suggests that the name was initially associated with nomadic or wandering tribes within the Germanic regions of Europe.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Wendal can be found in the Nibelungenlied, an epic poem from the 13th century. It mentions a character named Wendal, though the specifics of their role are not entirely clear. This literary reference provides evidence of the name's usage during the Middle Ages.
In the 9th century, a Frankish nobleman named Wendal served as a courtier under Charlemagne, the famed ruler of the Carolingian Empire. Historical records indicate that Wendal was a trusted advisor and diplomat, playing a significant role in the court of one of the most influential figures of the Middle Ages.
During the 11th century, a monk named Wendal von Bamberg lived in the Benedictine monastery in Bamberg, Germany. He is renowned for his contributions to the monastic community and his dedication to religious studies. His writings and teachings influenced the intellectual and spiritual life of the region during that time.
In the 14th century, Wendal von Bieberstein was a prominent German knight and military commander. He served under various rulers and played a crucial role in several military campaigns and battles. His bravery and strategic prowess were well-documented in contemporary accounts.
Another notable figure with the name Wendal was the 16th-century German artist and printmaker, Wendal Dietterlin. Born in 1550 and active until his death in 1599, he was renowned for his intricate and detailed woodcut designs, which influenced the development of decorative arts during the Renaissance period.
While the name Wendal has Germanic roots, it has been adopted and used across various cultures and regions over the centuries. Its association with wandering and travel has contributed to its enduring appeal and has made it a part of the rich tapestry of human history.
People
Wendal + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Wendal 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
Wendal: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Wendal?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 98 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Wendal 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 3,497,493 US residents.
Is Wendal a common name?
We classify Wendal as "Very Rare". It ranks above 64.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 194 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Wendal most popular?
The single biggest year for Wendal was 1955, when 11 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Wendal is about 67 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Wendal a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Wendal 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.
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.