How Many People Are Named Waddell?

Complete statistics for the name Waddell: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.

Waddell
Rare
English surname used as a first name

Waddell, a very rare male name, is held by just 312 people in the US today, making up 1 in 1,058,426 Americans. The majority of those named Waddell are over 60, reflecting its status as a name deeply rooted in older generations.

~20,000
Living in US
1 in 16,572
Americans
1947
Peak Year

📖 Meaning & Origin

💬
Meaning
English occupational surname (one who wades)
🌐
Origin
English surname used as a first name
🌟
Lucky Day
Friday
💎
Lucky Stone
Amethyst
🔢
Numerology
Life Path 7
Personality Traits
Determined Resilient
7
Life Path Number

Life-path number 7 symbolizes introspection, spiritual growth, and a quest for knowledge.

🌍 Worldwide Usage

621
Worldwide Bearers
#334,590
Global Rank
🇺🇸 United States
592
🇳🇬 Nigeria
5
🇬🇧 England
4
🇧🇷 Brazil
3
🇨🇦 Canada
3
🇩🇪 Germany
3
🇵🇪 Peru
2
🇬🇧 Scotland
2
🇨🇳 China
1
🇫🇷 France
1

⚥ Gender Distribution

♂ Male
312 (100%)
♀ Female
0 (0%)

📊 Births by Age Group

Avg Cohort Age: 83
0
Would be under 30 (0%)
106
Would be 30–60 (14%)
674
Would be over 60 (86%)

All 780 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).

📈 Popularity Over Time

Peak: 1947

Annual US births from SSA records  ·  Trend: Stable

🏆 Name Scorecard

Popularity
85
Classic Feel
67
Modern Appeal
33
International
78

Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency

📜 Waddell Through the Generations

Waddell has seen a steady presence throughout the decades, peaking in popularity in 1947 with 22 births. Today, the name's legacy is carried by 312 individuals, with the average age standing at 83. Over 86% of people named Waddell are over 60, indicating a strong connection to the past. This generational skew suggests that while the name remains stable, it's more commonly associated with the older generation, maintaining a classic feel rather than embracing modern trends.

📍 State Distribution (Top 10)

North Carolina 77
South Carolina 10
Tennessee 6
Mississippi 5

✨ Similar Names to Waddell

🌿 Related Names by Origin

Other names sharing Waddell's English surname used as a first name roots

📄 About the Name Waddell

How Many People Have the Name Waddell?

Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 20,000 people in the United States currently share the name Waddell. That works out to roughly 1 in every 16,572 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.

Is Waddell a Common or Rare Name?

Waddell is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.

What Does the Name Waddell Mean?

Waddell means "English occupational surname (one who wades)" and comes from English surname used as a first name origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 7.

Gender Breakdown

Of all recorded bearers of Waddell in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.

When Was Waddell Most Popular?

The name Waddell reached peak popularity in 1947, with 22 babies registered that year. Current trend: Stable.

How Is This Data Calculated?

All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are named Waddell?

Approximately 20,000 people named Waddell live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 20,000. That works out to roughly 1 in 16,572 Americans.

Is Waddell a rare name?

Waddell is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 16,572 Americans has this name.

What does the name Waddell mean?

Waddell means "English occupational surname (one who wades)" and comes from English surname used as a first name origins.

Is Waddell more male or female?

Based on SSA records, 100% of people named Waddell are male and 0% are female.

When was Waddell most popular?

Waddell peaked in 1947 with 22 births that year. Current trend: Stable.

How accurate are these statistics?

All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.

Disclaimer: All results are statistical estimates based on aggregated SSA birth records and modeling. Not exact counts of individuals. Data source: SSA National Baby Names dataset.
Quick Stats
Living in US20,000
All-Time Births20,000
1 in X1 in 16,572
RarityRare
GenderMale
Avg Age83
Peak Year1947
World Rank#334,590
Male %100%
Female %0%

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Data Source

Powered by the SSA National Baby Names dataset, birth registrations from 1880 to present.

All counts are statistical estimates. See the methodology page.