Wendel
Wendel is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Wanderer or member of the Vandal tribe.
Origin and history
Wendel is a masculine name of Germanic origin, derived from the tribal name of the Vandals or from the Old High German word 'wend', meaning to turn or wander. Historically used as a given name and surname in German-speaking regions, it has a long but low-volume presence in the United States. Today, it remains a rare choice given to fewer than ten boys per year in recent U.S. records.
Popularity in the United States
2,147 babies in the United States have been named Wendel since 1880. It ranks #2786 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1889.
States where it is most popular
- TX (58 %)
- CA (11.6 %)
- IL (8 %)
- MO (4.3 %)
- IN (3.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 140 |
| 1920-1930 | 243 |
| 1930-1940 | 294 |
| 1940-1950 | 297 |
| 1950-1960 | 344 |
| 1960-1970 | 266 |
| 1970-1980 | 218 |
| 1980-1990 | 131 |
| 1990-2000 | 71 |
| 2000-2010 | 55 |
| 2010-2019 | 50 |
| 2020-2029 | 38 |
Famous people named Wendel
- Wendel Clark: Hockey Player
- Wendel Meldrum: Actress
Nicknames
Wen
Fun facts
- The name originally referred to the Vandals, an ancient East Germanic tribe that migrated across Europe.
- The popular German name Wendelin is a diminutive form of Wendel and belongs to a 6th-century patron saint of herders.