Find out how popular the first name Wirth has been for the last 5 years (from 2019 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Wirth by gender

Based on the last 5 years of data, Wirth is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Wirth.

The history of the first name Wirth

The given name Wirth originates from the Old High German language, which was spoken in southern Germany and parts of modern-day Austria and Switzerland between the 6th and 11th centuries. It is derived from the word "wirt," meaning "host" or "innkeeper." The name likely emerged during this period and was initially used to refer to someone who owned or managed an inn or tavern.

In medieval times, inns and taverns played a crucial role in providing lodging and refreshments for travelers, making the name Wirth a respected one associated with hospitality and a welcoming spirit. As the name spread across different regions, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Werth, Wert, and Weerde.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Wirth can be found in the Codex Traditionum Monasterii Sancti Galli, a 9th-century manuscript from the Abbey of St. Gall in modern-day Switzerland. This document mentions a person named Wirth as a witness to a land transaction.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Wirth. One of the earliest was Wirth von Grüningen (c. 1230-1298), a Swiss knight and military commander who fought in the Battle of Morgarten against the Habsburgs in 1315. Another prominent figure was Erasmus Wirth (1551-1620), a German mathematician and astronomer who contributed to the development of logarithms and the calculation of planetary orbits.

In the 19th century, Wirth became a more common name, particularly in Germany and Switzerland. One notable bearer was Max Wirth (1822-1900), a German artist and illustrator known for his depictions of fairy tales and folklore. Another was Jakob Wirth (1839-1907), a Swiss entrepreneur who founded the famous Wirth's Bräu brewery and beer hall in Munich, which remains a popular destination to this day.

In the 20th century, the name gained further recognition with individuals like Christian Wirth (1885-1944), a German Nazi official who played a significant role in the organization of the Holocaust. On a more positive note, Oskar Wirth (1913-2005) was a German-born American artist and illustrator renowned for his work in children's books and magazine illustrations.

Other notable individuals with the name Wirth include Hermann Wirth (1879-1956), a controversial Dutch-German scholar known for his nationalist and anti-Semitic views on ancient history, and Günther Wirth (1929-2010), a German physicist and computer scientist who made significant contributions to the field of computer graphics and visualization.

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

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

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