Holding steady.
Popularity of Ludger since 1912
Babies named Ludger per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1926, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ludger's real moment was 1912.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 62 |
| 1920s | 90 |
| 1930s | 14 |
| 1940s | 6 |
| 1950s | 7 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Ludger is a rare Germanic name with a strong, historical resonance. According to U.S. Social Security data, it was first recorded in 1912 but has never appeared in the top 1000, reflecting its extremely low usage. The name's trajectory is stable, with no significant increase or decrease in recent decades. Ludger's peak year was also 1912, though even then the number of births was negligible. The name is most familiar through Saint Ludger, an 8th-century Frisian missionary and bishop of Münster. While virtually absent from modern birth lists, Ludger offers a distinctive choice for families with German heritage or a taste for obscure saint names.
Ludger derives from the Old High German elements 'liut' meaning 'people' and 'ger' meaning 'spear'. It was borne by Saint Ludger, an 8th-century Frisian missionary who became the first bishop of Münster. The name has been used in Germany and the Netherlands, though it has never been common in English-speaking countries.
Sibling names for Ludger
Names that share Ludger's style, for a brother or sister.
