Webster Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Webster originates from the Old English word for 'weaver'. Its meaning reflects a historical occupation. It evolved from 'webbestre' in Old English to its current form in Modern English. The name has biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly in the United States, influenced by notable figures like Noah Webster. Today, Webster is associated with intelligence and scholarship.
The name Webster is most popular in Louisiana, 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, Webster has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Webster' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 661st out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 921st out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1160th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2133rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2761st out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 6774th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 7060th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Webster' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Webster"
Pronunciation
/ˈwɛbstər/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Webster is derived from the Old English word 'webbestre', which means 'weaver'. It was originally used as a surname for someone who worked as a weaver.
Meaning
weaver
Language Evolution
Old English: webbestre, Middle English: webbestre, Modern English: Webster
Historical Usage
The name Webster gained popularity as a surname in the Middle Ages, particularly in England. It became a common given name in the 19th century, especially in the United States, partly due to the influence of notable figures such as Noah Webster.
Variants & Derivatives
Web, Webby, Wes
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, the name Webster is often associated with intelligence and scholarship, largely due to the legacy of Noah Webster, the American lexicographer.
Famous People
Noah Webster, Daniel Webster
Explore More Webster Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Webster"
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 "Webster"
"Webster" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 661st of 7545 | 1,467 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 921st of 6773 | 889 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1160th of 7552 | 802 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2133rd of 10718 | 310 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2761st of 16616 | 352 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 6774th of 24088 | 166 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 7060th of 23106 | 136 |
Regional Popularity of "Webster" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
60.95% 863rd/1416 |
50.83% 701st/1379 |
29.33% 694th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
73.67% 1139th/1546 |
61.18% 952nd/1556 |
42.67% 1004th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
63.27% 1409th/2227 |
52.39% 1273rd/2430 |
44.13% 1259th/2853 |
51.57% 1431st/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - |
60.78% 2458th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
53.58% 2783rd/5194 |
- |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Webster" 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 "Webster"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Webster" 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.