Werner
Werner is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Army defender or protecting warrior.
Origin and history
Werner is a masculine name of Old High German origin, derived from elements meaning 'defender' and 'army'. Historically prominent in German-speaking Europe, it saw steady usage in the United States throughout the 20th century. Today, it is an uncommon classic name given to a small number of boys each year.
Popularity in the United States
3,433 babies in the United States have been named Werner since 1880. It ranks #2185 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1881.
States where it is most popular
- NY (28.5 %)
- WI (13 %)
- TX (11.9 %)
- IL (11.4 %)
- MN (8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 7 |
| 1890-1900 | 21 |
| 1900-1910 | 69 |
| 1910-1920 | 491 |
| 1920-1930 | 696 |
| 1930-1940 | 619 |
| 1940-1950 | 314 |
| 1950-1960 | 333 |
| 1960-1970 | 358 |
| 1970-1980 | 115 |
| 1980-1990 | 72 |
| 1990-2000 | 96 |
| 2000-2010 | 98 |
| 2010-2019 | 98 |
| 2020-2029 | 46 |
Famous people named Werner
- Werner Herzog: Director, Filmmaker
- Werner Heisenberg: Physicist, Academic
Fun facts
- The name combines the ancient Germanic elements 'warin' (to guard or protect) and 'heri' (army).
- Theoretical physicist Werner Heisenberg won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1932 for the creation of quantum mechanics.