Wendell is a name of English origin that has been used for both boys and girls in recent years, although it was traditionally a male name. The name Wendell is derived from the Old English elements "wende" meaning "way" or "journey", and "hull" which means "hill". Therefore, the literal translation of Wendell is "hill on the way".
The earliest known use of the name Wendell can be traced back to medieval England where it was used as a surname. It is believed that the name originated as an occupational surname for someone who lived near a hill or traveled through hillsides.
In literature, one of the most notable characters named Wendell is Wendell Corey, a Hollywood actor from the 1940s and 1950s. This may have contributed to the name's popularity in the United States during that time period. Today, Wendell remains a unique and uncommon name, but it has seen some recent resurgence in popularity as parents seek out distinctive names for their children.
Overall, Wendell is an intriguing and historic name with a strong meaning behind it. Its English origins give it a classic feel while its uncommon usage makes it stand out from more popular names.
The name Wendell experienced a significant surge in popularity starting from the late 19th century, with the first notable increase occurring between 1892 and 1894, jumping from 21 to 23 to 212 births respectively. This trend continued through the early 20th century, reaching a peak of 633 births in 1924. However, beginning around 1937, there was a steady decline in the popularity of the name Wendell, dropping from 583 births to a low of just 52 births in 2011. Since then, there has been some fluctuation, with the number of annual births ranging between 67 and 101. Overall, over the course of these years, a total of 53,622 babies were named Wendell.