Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Wendell
BoyGermanic, English· “from the Vandal tribe name”
- Meaning
- from the Vandal tribe name
- Origin
- Germanic, English
- Pronunciation
- WEHN-duhl
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,165
- US babies 2025
- 67
- Best rank
- #114 (1940)
- Peak year
- 1940
Meaning and origin of Wendell
Wendell is a Germanic and English name that is usually said to mean “from the Vandal tribe name”.
Wendell comes from a Germanic personal name built on the tribal name of the Vandals, a people of late antiquity. It became an English surname and then a first name, especially in New England. Well-known bearers include the jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., the poet Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., the writer Wendell Berry and the politician Wendell Willkie. Said WEHN-duhl, it has a friendly, old-fashioned sound. Wendell fits the renewed interest in grandfatherly names such as Walter and Arthur, and Dell is a possible nickname.
Other spellings with the same sound: Wendel.
Popularity over time
Wendell has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 114 different years. Its best national rank was #114 in 1940, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,625 babies. In 2025, 67 babies were named Wendell, and it ranked #2,165 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #232 in 1920, #218 in 1950, #474 in 1980, #1,313 in 2000, #2,186 in 2010, and #2,165 in 2025. Of the 53,763 US boys named Wendell since records began, 18% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 8,968 babies. Since 2010, 1,220 more have been named Wendell.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Wendell ranked highest in South Carolina, Missouri, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | #871 | 5 |
| Missouri | #986 | 5 |
| California | #2193 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Wendell is usually pronounced WEHN-duhl, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with W and ends in “-ll”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Wendel.
Middle names for Wendell
A few middle names that flow with Wendell: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Wendell
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Lists that include Wendell
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Wendell mean?
Wendell is a Germanic and English name that is usually said to mean “from the Vandal tribe name”.
What is the origin of the name Wendell?
Wendell has Germanic and English roots. Wendell comes from a Germanic personal name built on the tribal name of the Vandals, a people of late antiquity.
Is Wendell a popular name?
Not especially. Wendell ranked #2,165 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Wendell a boy or girl name?
Wendell is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Wendell?
Wendell is usually pronounced WEHN-duhl. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings