Wendell
Wendell is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Wanderer, or belonging to the Slavic tribe of the Wends.
Origin and history
Wendell is derived from a Germanic root referring to the Wends, a historical group of Slavic people living in eastern Germany. It transitioned from a surname into a given name in the English-speaking world. Though it was a classic choices in the mid-20th century, it has become a vintage rarity today.
Popularity in the United States
53,763 babies in the United States have been named Wendell since 1880. It ranks #483 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1447.
States where it is most popular
- TX (6.9 %)
- GA (5.8 %)
- KY (5.6 %)
- IL (5.4 %)
- OH (4.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 83 |
| 1890-1900 | 182 |
| 1900-1910 | 366 |
| 1910-1920 | 3,431 |
| 1920-1930 | 6,226 |
| 1930-1940 | 6,217 |
| 1940-1950 | 8,378 |
| 1950-1960 | 9,904 |
| 1960-1970 | 8,968 |
| 1970-1980 | 3,714 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,615 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,555 |
| 2000-2010 | 904 |
| 2010-2019 | 731 |
| 2020-2029 | 489 |
Famous people named Wendell
- Wendell Berry: Author, Poet
- Wendell Willkie: Politician, Lawyer
- Wendell Pierce: Actor
Nicknames
Dell, Wen
Fun facts
- The name originally stems from Germanic tribal terms used to designate neighboring Slavic groups known as the Wends.
- Renowned American poet, novelist, and environmental activist Wendell Berry helped maintain cultural awareness of the name.