Holding steady, #7,679 for boys today.
Popularity of Wagner since 1915
Babies named Wagner per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 0 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 6 |
| 1970s | 15 |
| 1980s | 43 |
| 1990s | 64 |
| 2000s | 87 |
| 2010s | 67 |
| 2020s | 55 |
Meaning & origin
Wagner is a German occupational surname turned given name, meaning "wagon maker." It has been in steady but rare use in the United States since at least 1915, when it first appeared in Social Security records. Its peak popularity occurred in 2009, but even then it remained uncommon. The name's trajectory has been stable, never entering widespread fashion. Wagner is most familiar through the composer Richard Wagner, whose legacy keeps the name in cultural view. Without top states to note, Wagner remains a niche choice, appealing to families with German heritage or a love of classical music.
Wagner is a German occupational surname meaning "wagon maker" or "cartwright," derived from Middle High German "waganære." As a given name, it has been in occasional use in German-speaking countries and among German diaspora communities, often as a way to honor the composer Richard Wagner.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Wags, Waggie
Variants: Wagoner, Waggoner, Wagnerian
Sibling names for Wagner
Names that share Wagner's style, for a brother or sister.
