Waid
A boy's name of Old English origin with 45 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Waid is a boy's baby name, a variant of Wade, which is of Old English origin derived from the word wad, meaning 'to go' or associated with the Old English concept of a river ford. It may also connect to the Old Norse figure Vadi, a giant known for wading through the sea.
Wade and its variants have been used as given names in the American South and Midwest for generations, often as family surname transfers. Waid's single syllable and strong consonant ending give it a no-nonsense, frontier-era quality that sits comfortably in the tradition of classic American male names.
EtymologyShow more
Waid is cataloged under the Old English naming tradition. Names from the Old English tradition carry linguistic and cultural patterns that shape their sound, structure, and associations.
In the U.S., Waid has been recorded as a boy's name since 1916, with 45 total births. Browse the Old English names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Waid has 8+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1916.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 5 | #4640 | — |
| 1940s | 5 | #3761 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 24 | #4374 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 11 | #4327 | — |
The Story of Waid
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1921, Waid is a name steeped in history. Boys named Waid are most likely born between 1916 and 1931.
How rare is Waid?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Waid is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1916, peaked in the 1920s with 24 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(8 years, 1916–1961)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 5 | #4640 |
| 1945 | 5 | #3761 |
| 1925 | 6 | #4174 |
| 1923 | 5 | #4864 |
| 1921 | 8 | #3506 |
| 1920 | 5 | #4953 |
| 1919 | 6 | #4143 |
| 1916 | 5 | #4510 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waid a boy's or girl's name?
When was Waid most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1916–1961