Hedwig Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Hedwig is an Old High German name meaning 'battle warrior'. It has evolved through forms such as Hadewig and Hadewig. The name is associated with strength and has biblical relevance, but it is not mentioned in biblical texts. Its popularity grew in the medieval period, notably due to Saint Hedwig of Silesia. Today, it carries a vintage appeal and is recognized through notable figures.
The name Hedwig is most popular in Connecticut, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Hedwig has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South. Across generations, 'Hedwig' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 665th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2008th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4560th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 18004th out of 19264 names. Discover how the name 'Hedwig' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Hedwig"
Pronunciation
/ˈhɛd.wɪɡ/
Origin
Old High German
Etymology
The name Hedwig is derived from the Old High German words 'hadu' meaning 'battle' and 'wig' meaning 'warrior'.
Meaning
battle warrior
Language Evolution
Hedwig, Hadewig, Hadewig
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the medieval period, particularly in Germany, due to the veneration of Saint Hedwig of Silesia.
Variants & Derivatives
Hedy, Hedda, Heddy
Modern Popularity & Image
Hedwig is seen as a vintage name with a classic charm, often associated with strength and resilience.
Famous People
Hedwig of Silesia, Hedwig Kohn, Hedwig von Trapp
Explore More Hedwig Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Hedwig"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Hedwig"
"Hedwig" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 665th of 9107 | 2,106 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2008th of 9204 | 318 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 4560th of 12526 | 142 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 18004th of 19264 | 6 |
Regional Popularity of "Hedwig" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Hedwig" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
41.67% 590th/1416 |
22.48% 310th/1379 |
68.22% 1614th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
82.15% 1270th/1546 |
64.52% 1004th/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Hedwig"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Hedwig" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.