Waddell
Every Waddell since 1908 — 780 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
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.
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
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.