Webster

Meaning & origin

Webster is a traditional English occupational surname that has seen modest use as a first name, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The name first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1880, and its highest popularity came in 1890, when it ranked within the top 1000 names. In 2025, Webster is relatively uncommon, with only 1 in 142,340 boys receiving the name. Its use has remained stable over recent decades, neither experiencing a revival nor a sharp decline. The name carries a strong association with Noah Webster, the lexicographer who standardized American English spelling, lending it an intellectual, scholarly character. While Webster has not been recorded in any top state lists, it remains a recognizable and dignified choice, fitting a pattern of surname-first names that appeal to parents seeking something traditional yet distinctive.

Webster is an English occupational surname derived from the Old English 'webbestre', meaning 'female weaver'. Over time it became a gender-neutral surname for anyone engaged in weaving, and later transitioned to occasional use as a given name. The name rose to modest popularity in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, likely influenced by the fame of lexicographer Noah Webster.