Find out how popular the first name Whitaker has been for the last 41 years (from 1983 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Whitaker by gender

Based on the last 41 years of data, Whitaker is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 98% of people named Whitaker being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 48 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Whitaker.

The history of the first name Whitaker

The name Whitaker has its origins in the Old English language and can be traced back to the early Middle Ages. It is derived from the combination of the words "hwit" meaning "white" and "acer" meaning "field" or "cultivated land." This suggests that the name was originally given to someone who lived near or worked on a white field or a field with a lighter soil color.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Whitaker can be found in the Domesday Book, a manuscript commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. It lists several individuals with the name, indicating its use in England during the 11th century. The spelling variations at the time included Whitacre, Whytaker, and Whittaker.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named John Whitaker was recorded as a member of the Parliament of England. He served as a member of the House of Commons, representing Nottinghamshire in the 1290s.

During the Renaissance period, the name gained prominence with the English historian and antiquarian, Reverend Thomas Dunham Whitaker (1759-1821). He is best known for his work "The History and Antiquities of the Deanery of Craven," which documented the history and architecture of the Craven district in Yorkshire.

In the 19th century, Robert Whitaker (1800-1885) became a prominent figure in the field of publishing. He founded the Whitaker's Almanack, an annual publication that provided a comprehensive guide to various aspects of British life, including government, education, and commerce.

Another notable individual with the name Whitaker was Walter Whitaker (1616-1670), an English Puritan minister and theologian. He was known for his work "A Disputation on Holy Scripture," which defended the authority and sufficiency of the Bible against the claims of the Roman Catholic Church.

Over the centuries, the name Whitaker has been associated with various fields, including literature, academia, and politics. Some other significant figures bearing this name include the American novelist and essayist Charles Harris Whitaker (1918-2008), the British mathematician and computer scientist Randell Whitaker (1909-1992), and the American politician and former Governor of Kansas, John Whitaker (1901-1981).

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

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

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