Wadell: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

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	–	–	–	–
1910s	20	2	–	#2,867
1920s	45	5	+125%	#3,245
1930s	48	5	+7%	#2,093
1940s	46	5	-4%	#2,514
1950s	81	8	+76%	#2,246
1960s	46	5	-43%	#2,844
1970s	20	2	-57%	#5,414
1980s	5	1	-75%	#7,306
1990s	5	1	0%	#10,271
2000s	–	–	–	–
2010s	–	–	–	–
2020s (to 2025)	–	–	–	–

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

#2,867

1920s

+125%

#3,245

1930s

+7%

#2,093

1940s

-4%

#2,514

1950s

+76%

#2,246

1960s

-43%

#2,844

1970s

-57%

#5,414

1980s

-75%

#7,306

1990s

#10,271

2000s

–

2010s

–

2020s (to 2025)

–

The story of Wadell

Wadell 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 1915, 316 American babies have been named Wadell. Its peak came in 1932, when 14 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1930s.

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 Wadell stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Wadell?

The median living Wadell is about 68 years old; half are between 60 and 74. An estimated 200 people named Wadell are alive in the United States today.

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

Wadell 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	5	#10,271
1990	–	–
1985	–	–
1980	–	–
1975	–	–
1970	5	#5,414
1965	5	#4,413
1960	9	#3,069
1955	9	#2,957
1950	7	#3,307
1945	–	–
1940	5	#3,919
1935	–	–
1930	–	–
1925	6	#4,173
1920	6	#4,264
1915	5	#4,369
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Wadell?

The median living Wadell is about 68 years old. Half of all living Wadells are between 60 and 74 years old.

How many people named Wadell are alive today?

An estimated 200 people named Wadell are alive in the United States, based on 316 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Wadell in 2025?

Wadell 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 Wadell?

316 babies have been named Wadell in the United States since 1915, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Wadell most popular?

Wadell peaked in 1932, when 14 newborns received the name.

Is Wadell a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Wadell rising or falling?

Wadell has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Wadell

Wadell popularity over time

The story of Wadell

How old are people named Wadell?

Wadell year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Wadell