Waldo Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationWAL-doe / /ˈwɔːl.doʊ/German; Old High German
Meaning
German: rule; Old High German: powerful
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Waldo has roots in Germanic languages, where it is derived from elements meaning 'rule' and 'power'. It has been used in various forms throughout history, often associated with nobility and leadership. The name gained popularity in the 19th century and has been used in literature and popular culture. Its whimsical association with the character Waldo from the 'Where's Waldo?' series has further cemented its place in modern naming trends.
Trend Summary
Waldo has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., often influenced by cultural references.
Similar Names
Variants
- Waldy
International Variants
- Waldo (Spanish)
- Waldemar (German)
- Valdo (Italian)
Famous people named Waldo
—
Fictional characters named Waldo
Waldo is the main character in the 'Where's Waldo?' series, known for his distinctive red-and-white striped shirt and glasses.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Waldo was first seen in the United States in 1880. Waldo has ranked as high as #660 nationally, which occurred in 1915, and has been most popular in Ohio, California, Minnesota, Missouri, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Waldo has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Waldo (1997)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880 | 10 |
| 1881 | 23 |
| 1882 | 16 |
| 1883 | 6 |
| 1884 | 7 |
| 1885 | 17 |
| 1886 | 8 |
| 1887 | 14 |
| 1888 | 15 |
| 1889 | 18 |
| 1890 | 22 |
| 1891 | 15 |
| 1892 | 22 |
| 1893 | 19 |
| 1894 | 17 |
| 1895 | 20 |
| 1896 | 14 |
| 1897 | 22 |
| 1898 | 21 |
| 1899 | 24 |
| 1900 | 22 |
| 1901 | 15 |
| 1902 | 22 |
| 1903 | 22 |
| 1904 | 25 |
| 1905 | 24 |
| 1906 | 18 |
| 1907 | 27 |
| 1908 | 36 |
| 1909 | 17 |
| 1910 | 36 |
| 1911 | 44 |
| 1912 | 79 |
| 1913 | 116 |
| 1914 | 124 |
| 1915 | 174 |
| 1916 | 154 |
| 1917 | 164 |
| 1918 | 163 |
| 1919 | 124 |
| 1920 | 148 |
| 1921 | 153 |
| 1922 | 149 |
| 1923 | 139 |
| 1924 | 163 |
| 1925 | 121 |
| 1926 | 132 |
| 1927 | 124 |
| 1928 | 110 |
| 1929 | 116 |
| 1930 | 114 |
| 1931 | 95 |
| 1932 | 96 |
| 1933 | 85 |
| 1934 | 76 |
| 1935 | 70 |
| 1936 | 92 |
| 1937 | 63 |
| 1938 | 63 |
| 1939 | 66 |
| 1940 | 57 |
| 1941 | 51 |
| 1942 | 62 |
| 1943 | 58 |
| 1944 | 43 |
| 1945 | 38 |
| 1946 | 46 |
| 1947 | 47 |
| 1948 | 41 |
| 1949 | 28 |
| 1950 | 38 |
| 1951 | 38 |
| 1952 | 42 |
| 1953 | 41 |
| 1954 | 35 |
| 1955 | 39 |
| 1956 | 42 |
| 1957 | 30 |
| 1958 | 25 |
| 1959 | 29 |
| 1960 | 31 |
| 1961 | 38 |
| 1962 | 25 |
| 1963 | 43 |
| 1964 | 31 |
| 1965 | 26 |
| 1966 | 20 |
| 1967 | 17 |
| 1968 | 23 |
| 1969 | 24 |
| 1970 | 10 |
| 1971 | 19 |
| 1972 | 15 |
| 1973 | 13 |
| 1974 | 19 |
| 1975 | 10 |
| 1976 | 17 |
| 1977 | 18 |
| 1978 | 14 |
| 1979 | 19 |
| 1980 | 15 |
| 1981 | 13 |
| 1982 | 16 |
| 1983 | 24 |
| 1984 | 16 |
| 1985 | 18 |
| 1986 | 15 |
| 1987 | 16 |
| 1988 | 26 |
| 1989 | 29 |
| 1990 | 19 |
| 1991 | 19 |
| 1992 | 18 |
| 1993 | 13 |
| 1994 | 13 |
| 1995 | 15 |
| 1996 | 13 |
| 1997 | 17 |
| 1998 | 15 |
| 1999 | 13 |
| 2000 | 12 |
| 2001 | 12 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2003 | 14 |
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2007 | 10 |
| 2008 | 12 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 10 |