Waddell Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The surname Waddell has Scottish origins, meaning 'son of the carpenter' or 'son of the artisan'. It evolved from the Old English name Wada and was influenced by Scottish Gaelic. The name reflects traits of craftsmanship and heritage, and it has no biblical relevance. Waddell gained popularity in medieval Scotland and is associated with notable figures in literature and politics.
The name Waddell is most popular in North Carolina, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Waddell has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Waddell' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2225th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2206th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2268th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 4482nd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 10839th out of 16616 names. Discover how the name 'Waddell' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Waddell"
Pronunciation
/wəˈdɛl/
Origin
Scottish
Etymology
The surname Waddell is derived from the Scottish Gaelic 'Mac an t-Saoir', which means 'son of the carpenter' or 'son of the artisan'. It has also been linked to the Old English personal name 'Wada'.
Meaning
son of the carpenter, son of the artisan
Language Evolution
Old English: Wada, Scottish Gaelic: Mac an t-Saoir, Middle English: Waddell
Historical Usage
The surname Waddell gained popularity in Scotland during the medieval period, particularly among families associated with trades and craftsmanship.
Variants & Derivatives
Waddell, Waddilove, Waddellson
Modern Popularity & Image
Waddell is perceived as a traditional surname with Scottish roots, often associated with craftsmanship and trades. It is not extremely common but retains a sense of heritage.
Famous People
Charles Waddell Chesnutt - American author and social reformer, James Waddell - 18th-century Presbyterian minister, Joseph Waddell - American politician and soldier
📊 Waddell Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Waddell Name Visualizations
✨ Waddell Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 22 peak births in 1947
Geographic Spread
Popular across 4 US states, with strongest presence in North Carolina
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 5 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Waddell"
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 "Waddell"
"Waddell" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2225th of 7545 | 214 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2206th of 6773 | 210 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2268th of 7552 | 245 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 4482nd of 10718 | 85 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 10839th of 16616 | 26 |
Regional Popularity of "Waddell" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
59.76% 1414th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
72.67% 1710th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
55.03% 1570th/2853 |
- |
| 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 "Waddell" by Generation for Female 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) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Waddell"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Waddell" 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.