Weber is a German surname and given name that has been adopted by several cultures around the world. It is derived from the Middle High German word "weber," which means "weaver." This name was originally occupational, given to those who worked as weavers in their profession. The name Weber can also be found in other Germanic languages like Dutch and Scandinavian.
The name Weber has been popular throughout history, with notable figures bearing this surname including the German sociologist Max Weber, whose ideas about bureaucracy continue to influence social theory today. In music, Richard Wagner's opera "Der Ring des Nibelungen" features a dwarf named Alberich who is called "Weber" in some translations.
Today, Weber is a common surname and given name in many countries. It remains associated with craftsmanship and industry due to its origins as an occupational name for weavers. However, people with the name Weber today span a wide range of professions and backgrounds, reflecting the diverse nature of this name's global popularity.
The name Weber has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the past century, with notable peaks in recent years. Between 1915 to 2020, there were a total of 102 babies named Weber born annually. The most popular years for the name were 2008 with 9 births and 2018 with 6 births, while the least popular years were 1922, 1924, 1926, and 1931 each with only 5 births.