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.
Here are some statistics about the name Wyatt over time:
From 1880 to around 1960, the number of babies named Wyatt annually varied between 5 and 20 births per year in the United States. This can be considered as quite rare during this period.
However, starting from 1964, there was a noticeable increase in the popularity of the name Wyatt. In 1975, it reached over 179 births, indicating that more parents were choosing this name for their babies.
The popularity of Wyatt continued to rise throughout the late 20th century and into the early 21st century. Here are some notable statistics:
* From 1986 to 1993, the number of births with the name Wyatt ranged from approximately 294 to 628 per year.
* In 1994, there was a significant jump in popularity, with 1544 births. This marked the start of Wyatt's rise as a top 1000 names for boys.
* Between 1995 and 2023, Wyatt maintained its popularity among parents, with the number of annual births ranging from approximately 2786 to 9718.
As of 2023, Wyatt is considered one of the most popular boy's names in the United States. Since the mid-1990s, thousands of babies have been named Wyatt annually, indicating that this name has become a widely accepted and loved choice for parents across the country.