Wendell
2025 SSA
Below 5 births
About Wendell
This name has hardly been used since Wendell Willkie ran for president in 1940, and it may not quite be ready for revival yet. Still, clunky grandpa names like Lionel, Douglas, Benedict, Carl, and Melvin have received more attention in recent years, so Wendell can't be ruled out just yet.
Wendell for boys#2165 US
Wendell derives from the Dutch and German name, Wendel, which originates from the 5th century Germanic tribe, The Vandals, whose name could mean wanderer . Wendel became Wendell when it was brought over to America by the Dutch, and was notably borne by the 19th century poet Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
Well used in the US until the 60s, it last appeared in the Top 1000 in 1995. Recent years however have seen in creep back up in popularity very slightly, with 100 babies given the name in 2023.
With the travel related meaning and clunky sounds, the name might well hold appeal, and a recent pop culture reference might increase that. Wendell Bambleby is a character in Heather Fawcett's popular book series, Emily Wilde who might bring new attention to the name.
Wendell for girls
Old man's name just conceivable for a girl--makes a new spin on Wendy.
Pronounced WEN-dul.
As of October 2026, Wendell ranked #2165 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #114 in 1940.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · boys | Births · boys | US rank · girls | Births · girls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #1,871 | 79 | — | 0 |
| 2015 | #1,929 | 76 | — | 0 |
| 2016 | #1,738 | 90 | — | 0 |
| 2017 | #1,916 | 76 | — | 0 |
| 2018 | #1,958 | 76 | — | 0 |
| 2019 | #1,914 | 78 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | #2,112 | 67 | — | 0 |
| 2021 | #1,867 | 83 | — | 0 |
| 2022 | #1,745 | 96 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | #1,692 | 101 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | #2,068 | 73 | — | 0 |
| 2025 | #2,165 | 67 | — | 0 |
Similar names
These 40 names were selected by our users looking for other names like Wendell.
Similar boy names
Similar girl names
Wendell on lists
Famous Wendells
- Wendell Lewis WillkieBoy
American politician
- Wendell Richard "Wendy" AndersonBoy
U.S. Senator and 33rd governor of Minnesota
- Wendell BerryBoy
American novelist and poet
- Wendell BryantBoy
American football player
- Wendell BurtonBoy
American actor
- Wendell Hampton FordBoy
U.S. Senator from Kentucky
- Wendell JohnsonBoy
American psychologist and author
- Wendell LawrenceBoy
Bahamian triple jumper
- Wendell H. MurphyBoy
American politician from North Carolina
- Wendell PhillipsBoy
American abolitionist and activist
- Wendell Jermaine SailorBoy
Australian rugby player
- Wendell Meredith StanleyBoy
American biochemist
- Wendell AlexisBoy
American basketball player
- Wendell Tyrone DavisBoy
American NFL football player
- Wendell MarshallBoy
American jazz bassist
- Wendell GolerBoy
American TV journalist
Wendell in pop culture
- Prince Wendell Winston Walter WhiteBoy
grandson of Snow White, character in miniseries "The 10th Kingdom"
- Wendell BrayBoy
intern on TV's "Bones"
- Wendell BassettBoy
main character on TV's "Wendell and Vinnie"
- WendellBoy
anthropologist in Streets of Night (1923) by John Dos Passos
- WendellBoy
chef mascot for Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal
- WendellBoy
character on TV's "Gamer's Guide to Pretty Much Everything"
- Wendell WassermanBoy
a character from the Nickelodeon cartoon "Welcome To The Wayne"
- WendellBoy
cat from children's book "Wendell" by Eric Jon Nones
- Wendell HallBoy
character, teacher in the 1995 movie "Clueless"
- Wendell 'Bud' WhiteBoy
character from L.A. Confidential (1997)