Wyatt is a distinctive and unique given name of English origin. It is derived from the Old English words "wiht" meaning "little" and "æðel" meaning "noble," hence its meaning as "little noble." This name has gained popularity in recent years, particularly in the United States.
The name Wyatt first appeared in the English-speaking world during the Middle Ages. It was traditionally used as a surname before becoming more widely used as a given name in the 20th century. Notable figures with the name Wyatt include American musician Kurt Russell's son, actor Wyatt Russell, and British explorer Francis Wyatt, who served as the governor of Virginia between 1621 and 1626.
Wyatt is a unisex name, although it is more commonly given to boys in English-speaking countries. It offers several spelling variations, including Wyott, Wyte, and Witt. This name has also inspired many creative derivatives such as Wyatt Earp, the legendary lawman of the American Wild West, and Wyatt Apollo, a popular character from the video game "Detroit: Become Human."
The name Wyatt saw a significant rise in popularity starting from the late 1940s, peaking around the mid-1990s with over 800 births per year consistently between 1992 and 2000. Since then, its popularity has somewhat decreased but still remains relatively high, with around 6000 to 9000 births per year in recent years (2015-2023). Before the late 1940s, Wyatt was rarely given as a baby's name, with fewer than 50 births per year from 1880 to 1946.