Holding steady.
Popularity of Watt since 1880
Babies named Watt per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Watt's real moment was 1882.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 45 |
| 1890s | 17 |
| 1900s | 16 |
| 1910s | 77 |
| 1920s | 113 |
| 1930s | 57 |
| 1940s | 71 |
| 1950s | 33 |
| 1960s | 10 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Watt is a classic short form of Walter, the Old German name meaning 'ruler of the army.' It first appeared in U.S. records in 1880 and saw its peak usage in 1882, during a period when diminutives were common as given names. Since then, its use has declined steadily, and it has not charted in recent decades. While never reaching high rankings, Watt retains a sturdy, historical charm, often associated with notable figures like inventor James Watt. Its trajectory remains stable at low usage, making it a rare choice today.
Watt is a medieval diminutive of Walter, which itself derives from the Old German elements wald 'rule' and heri 'army.' The name was brought to England by the Normans and was common in the Middle Ages. Watt later became established as an independent surname and occasional given name, notably in Scotland.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Wattie
Variants: Wat
Sibling names for Watt
Names that share Watt's style, for a brother or sister.
