Holding steady.
Popularity of Woodruff since 1912
Babies named Woodruff per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 42 |
| 1920s | 57 |
| 1930s | 13 |
| 1940s | 18 |
| 1950s | 17 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Woodruff is a rare English surname-turned-given name that saw its greatest use in the 1910s and 1920s, peaking in 1917. It has never ranked among the top 1000 names in the United States, and its usage has remained extremely low since the mid-20th century, with a stable trajectory. The name evokes the sweet woodruff plant and a sense of the English countryside, appealing to parents seeking a distinctive nature-related name with vintage charm.
Woodruff derives from Old English 'wudu' (wood) and 'rōf' (perhaps 'roof' or 'clearing'), or alternatively from the plant name 'woodruff' (Galium odoratum). It was first recorded as a surname in medieval England, referring to someone who lived near a woodruff patch or a wooded clearing. As a given name, it saw modest use in the United States during the early 20th century, peaking around 1917.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Woody, Ruff
Sibling names for Woodruff
Names that share Woodruff's style, for a brother or sister.
