Woodrow Boy

Popularity: #836 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: WOOD-roh //ˈwʊd.roʊ//

Origin: English; Old English

Meaning: English: 'row of houses by a wood'; Old English: 'wood clearing'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Woodrow is of English origin, derived from the Old English elements "wudu," meaning "wood," and "row," which refers to a row of trees or a grove. The name can be traced back to the early medieval period in England, where it likely referred to someone who lived near or worked in a wooded area.

The transition into modern English occurred through the evolution of the language from Old English to Middle English, where the components of the name retained their meanings, ultimately forming the recognizable name Woodrow by the 19th century. Historically, the name Woodrow gained prominence in the early 20th century, particularly due to the influence of Woodrow Wilson, who served as the 28th President of the United States from 1913 to 1921.

His leadership during World War I and his role in the establishment of the League of Nations contributed to the name's association with political leadership and reform. The name also appears in various literary works and historical texts, reflecting its integration into the cultural fabric of English-speaking societies.

Culturally, Woodrow carries connotations of strength and stability, often associated with natural imagery due to its roots in woodland terminology. The name evokes a sense of connection to nature, which has historically been significant in English literature and folklore.

Additionally, diminutive forms such as Woody have emerged, reflecting a more informal and affectionate usage, though the name Woodrow itself maintains a formal and dignified presence in historical contexts.

Famous people named Woodrow

In this section, you will find notable people named Woodrow. 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 Woodrow who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Woodrow 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.

Woodrow Wilson is a U.S. President best known for leading the country during World War I, promoting the League of Nations, and his Fourteen Points.

Fictional characters named Woodrow

The following list of fictional characters named Woodrow 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.

Woodrow Wilson is a fictional character from the video game BioShock Infinite. He is a prominent figure in the game's alternate history, representing the 28th President of the United States in a world filled with political and social upheaval.

Sibling suggestions

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

WalterWinstonWesleyWaylonWarren

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Woodrow. 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.

HawthorneThaddeusCyrusOrsonMerrittAlistairGideonTobias

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Woodrow was first seen in the United States in 1900.

Woodrow has ranked as high as #135 nationally, which occurred in 1918, and has been most popular in Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia.

In the past 5 years the name Woodrow has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Woodrow 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 Woodrow 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 Woodrow.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 102 102 0
2024 99 99 0
2023 84 84 0
2022 88 88 0
2021 92 92 0
2020 91 91 0
2019 78 78 0
2018 81 81 0
2017 73 73 0
2016 77 77 0
2015 59 59 0
2014 57 57 0
2013 33 33 0
2012 35 35 0
2011 39 39 0
2010 44 44 0
2009 29 29 0
2008 33 33 0
2007 27 27 0
2006 19 19 0
2005 32 32 0
2004 29 29 0
2003 36 36 0
2002 32 32 0
2001 24 24 0
2000 23 23 0
1999 39 39 0
1998 40 40 0
1997 64 64 0
1996 54 54 0
1995 39 39 0
1994 50 50 0
1993 62 62 0
1992 71 71 0
1991 70 70 0
1990 68 68 0
1989 73 73 0
1988 64 64 0
1987 50 50 0
1986 77 77 0
1985 64 64 0
1984 62 62 0
1983 86 86 0
1982 88 88 0
1981 84 84 0
1980 94 94 0
1979 97 97 0
1978 94 94 0
1977 109 109 0
1976 105 105 0
1975 100 100 0
1974 97 97 0
1973 120 120 0
1972 136 136 0
1971 144 144 0
1970 147 147 0
1969 156 156 0
1968 148 148 0
1967 154 154 0
1966 148 148 0
1965 168 168 0
1964 196 196 0
1963 191 191 0
1962 200 200 0
1961 216 216 0
1960 208 208 0
1959 180 180 0
1958 221 215 6
1957 239 239 0
1956 233 233 0
1955 283 283 0
1954 305 305 0
1953 304 304 0
1952 353 353 0
1951 362 362 0
1950 334 334 0
1949 388 388 0
1948 428 428 0
1947 485 485 0
1946 470 470 0
1945 503 503 0
1944 524 524 0
1943 559 559 0
1942 480 480 0
1941 481 481 0
1940 448 443 5
1939 424 424 0
1938 405 405 0
1937 357 357 0
1936 282 282 0
1935 272 272 0
1934 217 217 0
1933 222 222 0
1932 298 293 5
1931 243 236 7
1930 212 212 0
1929 213 213 0
1928 230 230 0
1927 343 338 5
1926 306 306 0
1925 375 375 0
1924 521 516 5
1923 484 484 0
1922 631 622 9
1921 690 684 6
1920 779 774 5
1919 1,823 1,808 15
1918 3,372 3,358 14
1917 2,439 2,428 11
1916 2,679 2,668 11
1915 1,974 1,966 8
1914 1,791 1,785 6
1913 2,343 2,333 10
1912 1,854 1,843 11
1911 121 121 0
1910 45 45 0
1909 24 24 0
1908 17 17 0
1907 11 11 0
1906 7 7 0
1902 5 5 0
1900 8 8 0

Top States for Woodrow (2024)

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
TX 10
19%
CA 6
12%
NC 6
12%
TN 5
10%
AL 5
10%
UT 5
10%
ID 5
10%
MO 5
10%
OK 5
10%