Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States of America, serving two terms from 1913 to 1921. He is most known for leading his country through World War I and implementing his Fourteen Points speech, which called for peace without victory, self-determination of peoples, and other principles aimed at creating a safer world.
Wilson was born on December 28th, 1856 in Staunton, Virginia. His parents were Joseph R. Wilson, a lawyer and politician, and Jessie Woodrow Wilson, a devout Presbyterian whose family had emigrated from Scotland to America generations earlier. It is from his mother's maiden name that Woodrow Wilson derived his middle name "Woody".
Throughout his life, Wilson was deeply influenced by his parents' values and beliefs. His father was an outspoken opponent of slavery and supported the Union during the American Civil War. Meanwhile, his mother instilled in him a strong sense of moral principles and religious faith.
After graduating from Princeton University in 1879, Wilson went on to study law at the University of Virginia School of Law but soon switched to political science instead. He earned his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University in 1886 before becoming a professor himself at various institutions such as Bryn Mawr College and Wesleyan University.
In 1902, Wilson became president of Princeton University where he remained until 1910 when he ran successfully for Governor of New Jersey. Four years later, he won the Democratic nomination for President and went on to defeat Republican incumbent William Howard Taft in the general election.
As President, Wilson faced numerous challenges including guiding America through its participation in World War I, implementing his vision for world peace, managing domestic issues like racial tensions and women's suffrage, and dealing with economic fluctuations. Despite these challenges, he remained steadfast in his beliefs and principles throughout his presidency.
After leaving office due to poor health in 1921, Wilson lived quietly in Washington D.C. until his death on February 3rd, 1924 at the age of 67. His legacy continues to be remembered today not only through his namesake middle name "Woody" but also through the significant impact he had on shaping American politics and international relations during his time as President.
Overall, the name Woody is associated with strength, leadership, intellect, and dedication to one's principles – values that Woodrow Wilson embodied throughout his life and career.
The name Woody experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century and a half. Initially quite uncommon with only a few births per year between 1882 and 1920, it started to gain traction around the 1920s and 1930s, reaching its peak popularity during World War II, with over 100 births per year from 1940 to 1946. After the war, popularity declined steadily, with fewer than 50 births per year since the 1970s, and only single-digit numbers in recent years. As of 2023, Woody is once again a rare name, with only around 20 births recorded annually.