Webster Boy

Popularity: #926 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: WEB-stir //ˈwɛbstər//

Origin: English; Old French

Meaning: English: from the weaver's estate; Old French: a surname meaning 'weaver'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Webster has its roots in Old English, deriving from the word "webbestre," which means "weaver." This term is a combination of the Proto-Germanic root *wabō, meaning "to weave," and the suffix -stre, which denotes a female profession. The name evolved through various forms, including the Middle English "webster," before being adopted into modern English.

The transition into a surname occurred as occupational names became common in the medieval period, particularly from the 12th century onward, when individuals were often identified by their trade or profession. Historically, the name Webster is notably associated with Noah Webster, an American lexicographer, grammarian, and language reformer, who published the first American dictionary in 1828.

His work significantly influenced the standardization of American English, and he is often credited with shaping the linguistic identity of the United States. The name also appears in various historical texts and documents, reflecting its use among English-speaking populations over the centuries.

Culturally, the name Webster carries connotations of craftsmanship and creativity, linked to the art of weaving, which has been a vital trade throughout human history. The association with weaving extends metaphorically to the idea of constructing language and meaning, as seen in the contributions of figures like Noah Webster.

The name has also been used in literature and the arts, symbolizing the interconnectedness of language and culture. While diminutive forms or variations are less common, the name's historical significance and its ties to the craft of weaving have allowed it to endure in various contexts.

Famous people named Webster

In this section, you will find notable people named Webster. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Webster who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Webster who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Webster Tarpley is an author and political activist best known for his books on U.S. history and politics.

Fictional characters named Webster

The following list of fictional characters named Webster is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Webster Long is a fictional character from the TV series Webster. He is a young boy who is adopted by a former NFL player and his wife, navigating life with humor and heart.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Webster, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

WesleyWalterWinstonWaylonWyatt

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Webster. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

WestonWesleyWhitmanWendellWarrenWilburWylie

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Webster was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Webster has ranked as high as #1205 nationally, which occurred in 1915, and has been most popular in Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Alabama, and Texas.

In the past 5 years the name Webster has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Webster is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Webster was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Webster.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 12 12
2024 11 11
2023 8 8
2022 17 17
2020 12 12
2019 14 14
2018 17 17
2017 9 9
2016 16 16
2015 7 7
2014 13 13
2013 12 12
2012 10 10
2011 9 9
2010 8 8
2009 5 5
2008 10 10
2007 7 7
2006 8 8
2005 5 5
2004 14 14
2003 5 5
2002 16 16
2001 8 8
2000 16 16
1999 15 15
1998 13 13
1997 17 17
1996 8 8
1995 9 9
1994 21 21
1993 17 17
1992 14 14
1991 19 19
1990 18 18
1989 23 23
1988 26 26
1987 24 24
1986 26 26
1985 32 32
1984 54 54
1983 23 23
1982 11 11
1981 27 27
1980 12 12
1979 13 13
1978 22 22
1977 18 18
1976 17 17
1975 18 18
1974 17 17
1973 24 24
1972 20 20
1971 22 22
1970 16 16
1969 26 26
1968 22 22
1967 21 21
1966 22 22
1965 20 20
1964 38 38
1963 31 31
1962 34 34
1961 20 20
1960 35 35
1959 35 35
1958 45 45
1957 45 45
1956 51 51
1955 39 39
1954 44 44
1953 48 48
1952 43 43
1951 48 48
1950 45 45
1949 55 55
1948 42 42
1947 51 51
1946 54 54
1945 35 35
1944 55 55
1943 39 39
1942 37 37
1941 51 51
1940 38 38
1939 42 42
1938 49 49
1937 51 51
1936 46 46
1935 49 49
1934 57 57
1933 55 55
1932 53 53
1931 57 57
1930 49 49
1929 57 57
1928 69 69
1927 57 57
1926 68 68
1925 80 80
1924 86 86
1923 85 85
1922 89 89
1921 70 70
1920 85 85
1919 87 87
1918 85 85
1917 77 77
1916 100 100
1915 101 101
1914 72 72
1913 56 56
1912 49 49
1911 31 31
1910 19 19
1909 16 16
1908 24 24
1907 23 23
1906 26 26
1905 18 18
1904 14 14
1903 15 15
1902 20 20
1901 14 14
1900 23 23
1899 12 12
1898 22 22
1897 10 10
1896 15 15
1895 16 16
1894 20 20
1893 13 13
1892 12 12
1891 11 11
1890 22 22
1889 16 16
1888 19 19
1887 11 11
1886 17 17
1885 14 14
1884 16 16
1883 20 20
1882 17 17
1881 5 5
1880 13 13

Top States for Webster (1985)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
FL 5
100%