Wendel Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Wendel is of Old High German origin, meaning 'to wander' or 'to travel'. It has evolved through various historical forms and retains its significance in contemporary naming. While it lacks biblical relevance, it is recognized for its traditional charm and has been associated with notable figures in sports and music.
The name Wendel is most popular in Texas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Baby Boomers 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, Wendel has been stalled for male in MidWest, 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 South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Wendel' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1638th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1280th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1381st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1958th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4600th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 9304th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 11245th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Wendel' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Wendel"
Pronunciation
/ˈwɛndəl/
Origin
Old High German
Etymology
The name Wendel is derived from the Old High German name 'Wandala', which means 'to wander' or 'to travel'. It is also associated with the root word 'wend', meaning 'to turn'.
Meaning
to wander, to travel
Language Evolution
Wandala (Old High German), Wend (Middle High German), Wendel (Modern German)
Historical Usage
Wendel gained popularity in the Middle Ages, particularly in German-speaking regions. It was often used as a given name for boys and has been associated with various legendary figures.
Variants & Derivatives
Wendell, Wendela, Wendoline
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Wendel is considered a traditional name that carries a sense of heritage and historical significance. It is less common today but still appreciated for its classic roots.
Famous People
Wendel Clark (Canadian hockey player), Wendel Halls (American singer-songwriter)
Explore More Wendel Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Wendel"
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 "Wendel"
"Wendel" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1638th of 7545 | 340 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1280th of 6773 | 529 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1381st of 7552 | 598 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1958th of 10718 | 356 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4600th of 16616 | 163 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 9304th of 24088 | 98 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 11245th of 23106 | 58 |
Regional Popularity of "Wendel" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
74.79% 1059th/1416 |
- | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
58.47% 904th/1546 |
- |
74.67% 1757th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
63.27% 1409th/2227 |
- |
51.10% 1458th/2853 |
49.15% 1364th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - |
55.91% 1967th/3518 |
- |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
67.60% 3511th/5194 |
- |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Wendel" 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 "Wendel"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Wendel" 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.