Wally
Wally is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Ruler of the army or stranger/Welshman, depending on its root name Walter or Wallace.
Origin and history
Wally is a traditional, friendly diminutive of names such as Walter and Wallace. While it was widely used in mid-20th-century American culture, it is now an uncommon choice for newborns. It retains a warm, vintage charm in contemporary usage.
Popularity in the United States
4,954 babies in the United States have been named Wally since 1880. It ranks #1733 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1842.
States where it is most popular
- CA (26.7 %)
- TX (17.6 %)
- IL (14 %)
- NY (10.7 %)
- MI (6.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 120 |
| 1920-1930 | 318 |
| 1930-1940 | 587 |
| 1940-1950 | 916 |
| 1950-1960 | 937 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,054 |
| 1970-1980 | 373 |
| 1980-1990 | 219 |
| 1990-2000 | 121 |
| 2000-2010 | 102 |
| 2010-2019 | 122 |
| 2020-2029 | 85 |
Famous people named Wally
- Wally Szczerbiak: Basketball Player, Sports Analyst
- Wally Joyner: Baseball Player, Coach
- Wally Schirra: Astronaut, Naval Officer
Fun facts
- Wally developed primarily as a affectionate short form for Walter and Wallace in English-speaking countries.
- The character Wally Cleaver on the classic sitcom Leave It to Beaver helped cement the name in American pop culture.