Wayland
Wayland is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Land near the path, or artful/skilful (associated with the legendary smith).
Origin and history
Wayland is an ancient Germanic name traditionally meaning land by the path or courageous in battle, associated with the legendary heroic blacksmith of Germanic mythology. In the United States, it has been used steadily as a traditional given name, though it remains relatively uncommon. It carries a vintage, rugged English feel with strong literary and mythological roots.
Popularity in the United States
4,220 babies in the United States have been named Wayland since 1880. It ranks #1930 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1638.
States where it is most popular
- TX (61.6 %)
- NC (11 %)
- CA (10.5 %)
- OK (4.7 %)
- TN (3.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 18 |
| 1890-1900 | 10 |
| 1900-1910 | 13 |
| 1910-1920 | 311 |
| 1920-1930 | 482 |
| 1930-1940 | 462 |
| 1940-1950 | 479 |
| 1950-1960 | 395 |
| 1960-1970 | 390 |
| 1970-1980 | 433 |
| 1980-1990 | 264 |
| 1990-2000 | 208 |
| 2000-2010 | 157 |
| 2010-2019 | 309 |
| 2020-2029 | 289 |
Famous people named Wayland
- Wayland Flowers: Puppeteer, Comedian
- Wayland Becker: Football player
Nicknames
Way
Fun facts
- Wayland the Smith (Völundr in Old Norse) is a famous master craftsman of Germanic pagan legend.
- It also developed independently as an Old English surname for someone who lived near a roadside or path.