Baby Names US
boys' name ★ peaked 1947

Waddell

Gender Boy Rank 2025 Below top lists
Rank 2025
–
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Waddell
How common
–
boys born in 2025
Peak year
1947
22 babies
All-time total
780
#5,997 all-time among boys
First recorded
1908
in Social Security records

Waddell popularity over time

780 babies have been named Waddell since 1908, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras
0.010.020.030.0418801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1910Boys

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade Boys Per year Change Best rank
1880s – – – –
1890s – – – –
1900s 5 1 – #1,578
1910s 89 9 +1680% #1,380
1920s 140 14 +57% #1,837
1930s 125 13 -11% #1,703
1940s 135 14 +8% #1,644
1950s 123 12 -9% #1,968
1960s 84 8 -32% #2,214
1970s 48 5 -43% #4,218
1980s 26 3 -46% #4,677
1990s 5 1 -81% #9,441
2000s – – – –
2010s – – – –
2020s (to 2025) – – – –

The story of Waddell

Waddell is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1908, 780 American babies have been named Waddell. Its peak came in 1947, when 22 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1940s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Waddell stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Waddell?

The median living Waddell is about 67 years old; half are between 56 and 77. An estimated 300 people named Waddell are alive in the United States today.

median 67 020406080100

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Waddell year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Boys Boys rank
2025 – –
2024 – –
2023 – –
2022 – –
2021 – –
2020 – –
2019 – –
2018 – –
2017 – –
2016 – –
2015 – –
2014 – –
2013 – –
2012 – –
2011 – –
2010 – –
2009 – –
2008 – –
2007 – –
2006 – –
2005 – –
2004 – –
2003 – –
2002 – –
2001 – –
2000 – –
1995 – –
1990 5 #9,441
1985 9 #4,677
1980 5 #7,261
1975 7 #4,786
1970 7 #4,218
1965 5 #4,412
1960 12 #2,531
1955 11 #2,550
1950 14 #2,108
1945 15 #1,848
1940 8 #2,858
1935 10 #2,524
1930 11 #2,604
1925 16 #2,085
1920 14 #2,332
1915 7 #3,374
1910 7 #1,414
1905 – –
1900 – –
1895 – –
1890 – –
1885 – –
1880 – –

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Waddell, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Waddell?

The median living Waddell is about 67 years old. Half of all living Waddells are between 56 and 77 years old.

How many people named Waddell are alive today?

An estimated 300 people named Waddell are alive in the United States, based on 780 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Waddell in 2025?

Waddell did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Waddell?

780 babies have been named Waddell in the United States since 1908, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Waddell most popular?

Waddell peaked in 1947, when 22 newborns received the name.

Is Waddell a boy or girl name?

Waddell is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Waddell rising or falling?

Waddell has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Names like Waddell

Names that sound and feel close to Waddell: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Waddell with similar names → More names starting with W →