Waller is a unique and distinctive given name of English origin. Its meaning and history are intertwined with the prominent family surname that shares the same name.
The surname Waller has a long and distinguished history, dating back to the Middle Ages in England. It is believed to have originated from one of two sources: either it was an occupational name for a fuller, someone who processed wool by beating it with a wooden club called a "wall," or it could be a topographic name for someone who lived near a walled-in area or fortification.
The given name Waller likely emerged as a diminutive form of the surname in early records. While the exact origin and meaning of the given name Waller are not well-documented, its association with the respected family surname suggests that it may have been chosen to honor an ancestor or convey a sense of pride in one's heritage.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the Waller surname and, by extension, contributed to its legacy. Some examples include Thomas Waller, a 16th-century English poet who was known for his satirical verse; William Waller, a parliamentarian general during the English Civil War; and George Frederick Handel Waller, an American soldier and politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Mississippi in the late 19th century.
In literature and popular culture, the name Waller has made appearances in various forms. For instance, it is featured as a character's surname in works such as "The Moonstone" by Wilkie Collins and "The Four Just Men" by Louis Joseph Vance.
While not as widely used today as some other names, Waller remains an appealing choice for parents seeking a unique and meaningful name for their child. Its English origins and historic significance make it a compelling option for those interested in naming their child after a name with a rich past and strong ties to history.
Based on the statistics provided for the name Waller in the United States between 1913 and 1964, we can observe several trends:
Firstly, the number of births with the name Waller fluctuates greatly from year to year. The highest number of births recorded was in 1921 with 15 births, while the lowest occurred in both 1927 and 1933 with only 5 births each.
Secondly, there is a noticeable decrease in the popularity of the name Waller after the late 1920s. Between 1913 and 1926, there were between 5 to 15 births per year, but this number drops significantly in subsequent years, with fewer than 8 births annually from 1927 onward.
Lastly, despite the fluctuations and eventual decline in popularity, a total of 225 babies were named Waller during this period. This shows that while it may not have been one of the most popular names, Waller was still used consistently over these decades.