Wally is a name of English origin that has been used for both boys and girls throughout history. The name comes from the Germanic element "wall," which means "foreigner" or "stranger." It was initially used as a nickname for someone who came from another place or who was considered an outsider in their community.
The name Wally became particularly popular in English-speaking countries during the 20th century, likely due to its use as a diminutive form of names such as Walter and Wallace. However, it has also been used independently as a given name since medieval times.
One famous bearer of the name Wally was American photographer Wally Groener, who was known for his work in documenting the counterculture movement of the 1960s. Another notable figure with this name is Australian footballer Wally Davenport, who played for several teams throughout his career in the 1950s and 1960s.
Overall, while Wally may not be as widely used today as it once was, its history and meaning make it a unique and interesting choice for parents looking for a distinctive name for their child.
The statistics provided show the number of births given the name Wally in the United States each year from 1910 to 2023.
Between 1910 and 1959, the number of babies named Wally fluctuated but generally increased over time. In 1910, there were only 5 births with the name Wally, but this number grew steadily until reaching a peak of 185 births in 1959.
From 1960 onwards, however, the popularity of the name Wally began to decline. The highest point during this period was 162 births in 1961, which was still significantly lower than the peak in 1959. By 1978, the number of babies named Wally had fallen below 30 per year.
The trend continued into the 1980s and 1990s, with fewer than 25 births each year named Wally during these decades. The lowest point was reached in 1996, with only 7 births.
Despite this decline in popularity, the name Wally has not disappeared entirely. Between 2000 and 2023, there were an average of about 12 births per year given the name Wally. The most recent data shows that there were 15 babies named Wally in both 2022 and 2023.
In total, over the period from 1910 to 2023, there were 4924 births registered with the name Wally in the United States. While the popularity of this name has fluctuated significantly over time, it remains a part of American naming tradition.