Weyland
From an Old English compound meaning "estate protected by willows".
Name Census estimates that about 111 living Americans carry the first name Weyland. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Weyland today is around 9 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Weyland births was 2016 (14 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Weyland. 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.
People living today
111
~ 1 in 3,087,877 Americans
Peak year
2016
14 babies that year
Average age
9
years old
2024 SSA rank
#6,785
Tracked since 1974
Popularity
Weyland: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Weyland from the 1970s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 58 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
Weyland 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 Weyland 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 Weyland
The name Weyland finds its roots in Old English, originating from the region that is now modern-day England. It is derived from the Old English words "weg" meaning "way, path" and "land" meaning "land, territory." The combination of these two words suggests that the name Weyland may have been used to refer to someone who lived near a well-traveled path or road.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Weyland can be found in the 9th-century Old English epic poem "Beowulf." In this work, Weyland is mentioned as a legendary smith who crafted a magnificent coat of mail. This association with metalworking and artisanship could also point to an alternative origin for the name, possibly related to the Old English word "wealdan" meaning "to wield or control."
During the Middle Ages, the name Weyland was relatively uncommon, but it did appear in various historical records and documents. One notable bearer of the name was Weyland Smith, a 13th-century English blacksmith who gained fame for his exceptional skill in metalwork. His reputation was such that his name became synonymous with excellent craftsmanship, and the phrase "as good as a Weyland Smith" was used to describe exceptional quality.
In the 16th century, the name Weyland gained some prominence in literary works. William Shakespeare included a character named Weyland in his play "Henry VI, Part II." This Weyland was a tanner, or a worker who processed animal hides into leather, suggesting that the name may have also been associated with certain trades or occupations.
Another notable figure named Weyland was Weyland Yuteville, a 17th-century English politician and member of Parliament who served during the reign of King Charles II. He was born in 1628 and played a role in the political turmoil of the English Civil War and the Restoration period.
In the 19th century, the name Weyland appeared in the works of the Romantic poet William Wordsworth. In his poem "The Solitary Reaper," Wordsworth mentioned a character named Weyland, though little is known about the inspiration behind this particular use of the name.
While the name Weyland has never been particularly common, it has left a lasting imprint on English history and literature, with its roots stretching back to the Anglo-Saxon era. Its association with skilled craftsmen, literary characters, and historical figures reflects the rich tapestry of cultural influences that have shaped this unique and intriguing name.
People
Weyland + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Weyland 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
Weyland: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Weyland?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 111 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Weyland 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 3,087,877 US residents.
Is Weyland a common name?
We classify Weyland as "Very Rare". It ranks above 66.1% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 112 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Weyland most popular?
The single biggest year for Weyland was 2016, when 14 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Weyland is about 9 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Weyland a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Weyland 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.