Hedwig
Hedwig is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Battle-combat or female warrior, from the Old High German elements 'hadu' (battle) and 'wig' (fight/combat).
Origin and history
Hedwig is a traditional Germanic name derived from elements meaning battle and combat. Historically popular in German-speaking regions and Northern Europe, it was introduced to American records by 19th-century European immigrants. Today, the name is extremely rare in contemporary U.S. births, though widely recognized globally due to popular culture.
Popularity in the United States
3,077 babies in the United States have been named Hedwig since 1880. It ranks #3205 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- PA (25 %)
- NY (21.7 %)
- NJ (15 %)
- MI (9.6 %)
- CT (8.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 151 |
| 1890-1900 | 336 |
| 1900-1910 | 295 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,090 |
| 1920-1930 | 808 |
| 1930-1940 | 173 |
| 1940-1950 | 117 |
| 1950-1960 | 79 |
| 1960-1970 | 28 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 0 |
| 1990-2000 | 0 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Famous people named Hedwig
- Hedwig Courths-Mahler: Writer, Novelist
- Hedwig Dohm: Writer, Activist
Nicknames
Hedy, Hedda
Fun facts
- The name gained global modern recognition as the snowy owl companion of Harry Potter in J.K. Rowling's fantasy series.
- Saint Hedwig of Poland (Jadwiga) served as the first female monarch of the Kingdom of Poland in the 14th century.