Wendel: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#13,792

among boys · ↓3,971 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Wendel

How common

1 in 341,615

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1940

45 babies

All-time total

2,147

#3,156 all-time among boys

First recorded

1911

in Social Security records

Wendel popularity over time

2,147 babies have been named Wendel since 1911, 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

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	140	14	–	#1,453
1920s	243	24	+74%	#1,241
1930s	294	29	+21%	#1,027
1940s	297	30	+1%	#965
1950s	344	34	+16%	#1,171
1960s	266	27	-23%	#1,304
1970s	218	22	-18%	#1,373
1980s	131	13	-40%	#2,441
1990s	71	7	-46%	#5,344
2000s	55	6	-23%	#8,288
2010s	50	5	-9%	#7,474
2020s (to 2025)	38	6	+27%	#7,554

The story of Wendel

Wendel is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #13,792 in 2025 with 5 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1911, 2,147 American babies have been named Wendel. Its peak came in 1940, when 45 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 Wendel stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Wendel?

The median living Wendel is about 59 years old; half are between 43 and 71. An estimated 1,200 people named Wendel 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.

Wendel year by year

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

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	5	#13,792
2024	8	#9,821
2023	7	#10,753
2022	7	#10,777
2021	11	#7,554
2020	–	–
2019	6	#12,058
2018	5	#13,987
2017	–	–
2016	6	#12,099
2015	–	–
2014	8	#9,585
2013	–	–
2012	8	#9,669
2011	11	#7,474
2010	6	#12,140
2009	6	#12,409
2008	10	#8,288
2007	6	#12,292
2006	5	#13,936
2005	8	#9,065
2004	7	#9,896
2003	–	–
2002	7	#9,353
2001	6	#10,499
2000	–	–
1995	9	#6,389
1990	7	#7,153
1985	14	#3,395
1980	21	#2,441
1975	20	#2,285
1970	38	#1,373
1965	24	#1,624
1960	31	#1,461
1955	37	#1,254
1950	38	#1,180
1945	19	#1,579
1940	45	#965
1935	22	#1,491
1930	30	#1,329
1925	24	#1,581
1920	19	#1,883
1915	23	#1,453
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Famous people named Wendel

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Wendel Geraldo Brazilian association football player b. 1982 · Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Wendel?

The median living Wendel is about 59 years old. Half of all living Wendels are between 43 and 71 years old.

How many people named Wendel are alive today?

An estimated 1,200 people named Wendel are alive in the United States, based on 2,147 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Wendel mean?

Wendel is a given name. Notable people with the name include:Wendel Clark, Canadian ice hockey player Wendel Meldrum (1954–2021), Canadian actress Wendel, full name Wendel Santana Pereira Santos, Brazilian football defensive midfi

How popular is the name Wendel in 2025?

Wendel ranked #13,792 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 5 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Wendel?

2,147 babies have been named Wendel in the United States since 1911, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Wendel most popular?

Wendel peaked in 1940, when 45 newborns received the name.

Is Wendel a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Wendel rising or falling?

Wendel is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Wendel?

Well-known people named Wendel include Wendel Geraldo (soccer player).

Names like Wendel

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

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