Find out how popular the last name Wiwi is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Wiwi.

Wiwi, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Wiwi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wiwi in America

Wiwi is the 160975th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wiwi surname appeared 100 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Wiwi.

The history of the last name Wiwi

The surname Wiwi has its origins primarily in Germany, specifically from the Low German-speaking regions which include parts of present-day northern Germany and the Netherlands. The name is believed to have first appeared during the late Middle Ages, roughly around the 14th or 15th century. This area was significantly influenced by various Germanic tribes and later by the Hanseatic League, which played a crucial role in trade across Northern Europe.

Wiwi may be derived from the Old High German name "Wido," which means "wood" or "forest." Another possible origin is from the Old German word "wīg," meaning "battle" or "war." Depending on the specific region, variations of the name include "Wiwe" and "Wewe," reflecting its phonetical adaptations over time.

One of the earliest historical references to the surname Wiwi can be traced back to a manuscript dating to the early 16th century, where a Wilhelm Wiwi was documented in the region of Hamburg. The records indicate that Wilhelm was a merchant involved in the Hanseatic trade routes, suggesting that the surname may have held some prominence in commercial activities during that period.

The surname continues to appear in historical documents throughout the following centuries. For instance, in the late 17th century, a Johann Wiwi was listed in the church records of Lübeck. He was noted as a craftsman, contributing to the flourishing economic expansion during that era.

By the 18th century, individuals bearing the surname Wiwi had spread further into other parts of Europe and overseas to America. One notable person is Heinrich Wiwi, born in 1768, who emigrated from Bremen to the American colonies. Heinrich established himself as a successful farmer in Pennsylvania, where records of his contributions to early American agriculture are preserved.

In the 19th century, a notable figure is Caroline Wiwi, born 1823 in Düsseldorf. She became known for her philanthropic efforts and was involved in various social causes, addressing poverty and illiteracy in her community. Her work was widely recognized, and she left a tangible impact in her region.

Another significant mention is of Ernst Wiwi, a mathematician born in 1859 in Hanover. Ernst made notable contributions to algebra and published several influential papers in his lifetime, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of mathematics before his death in 1922.

Throughout the surname’s history, even as it spread to different regions and adapted phonetically, its roots remain deeply embedded in the German-speaking areas of Northern Europe. The surname Wiwi has been carried by individuals who participated actively in commerce, agriculture, social reform, and academia, making significant contributions to their respective fields.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wiwi

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Wiwi.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Wiwi was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Wiwi was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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