Find out how popular the first name Woods has been for the last 20 years (from 2004 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Woods by gender

Based on the last 20 years of data, Woods is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Woods being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 78 male babies and 5 female babies born with the name Woods.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 5 baby girls were named Woods in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Woods

The name Woods is an English given name derived from the Old English word "wudu," which means "wood" or "forest." This name has its roots in the Anglo-Saxon culture and can be traced back to the 5th century AD when the Anglo-Saxons settled in England.

During the Middle Ages, the name Woods was often used as a descriptive surname for people who lived near or worked in the woods or forests. It later transitioned into a given name as well. The name gained popularity during the Renaissance period, particularly in England and other parts of the British Isles.

While there are no known direct references to the name Woods in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is believed to have been used as a personal name since the early medieval period. Some of the earliest recorded examples of the name include William Woods, an English clergyman who lived in the 14th century, and Robert Woods, a Scottish landowner from the 16th century.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Woods. One of the most famous was Tiger Woods, the legendary American professional golfer born in 1975, who revolutionized the sport with his exceptional skills and numerous victories.

Another prominent figure was John Woods, an English mathematician and logician (1837-1892), known for his contributions to the field of symbolic logic and the development of the Woods Game, a variation of the Game of Life.

In the literary world, Granville Woods (1856-1910) was an African American inventor and engineer, best known for his contributions to the development of the electric railway system and for patenting numerous inventions related to electric communications and control systems.

The name Woods also has a connection to the world of film and television. Donald Woods (1933-1998) was a South African journalist and anti-apartheid activist, whose life story was depicted in the 1987 film "Cry Freedom," starring Denzel Washington.

Lastly, Earl Woods (1932-2010), the father of Tiger Woods, was a prominent figure in the golfing world, serving as a mentor and coach to his son during his formative years and playing a significant role in shaping his successful career.

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

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

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