Waite
A boy's name of Old English origin with 21 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
At 5 letters and one syllable, Waite hits the middle ground most parents look for: long enough to feel complete, short enough for everyday use. It has been used as a boy's name in the U.S. since 1920, with 21 total recorded births.
Waite is not in the current top 1,000, which means your child is unlikely to share the name with a classmate — a plus for parents who value distinctiveness.
Waite is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Waite is an Old English surname derived from the medieval occupational term for a watchman or city guard — someone who kept watch through the night. It has been used as a given name in the American tradition of surname-as-first-name, which has deep roots in 19th-century naming culture.
As a given name, Waite has a spare, contemplative quality. It's one syllable, easy to carry, and comes with a genuine occupational history. For parents who love names that feel like they were pulled from an old American census record, Waite has real character.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Waite's final sounds are open, approachable — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Waite softens that pattern, giving it a more versatile feel.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Waite's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Waite has 4+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1920.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 5 | #4489 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 16 | #4570 | — |
The Story of Waite
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1920, Waite is a name steeped in history. Boys named Waite are most likely born between 1920 and 1930.
How rare is Waite?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Waite is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1920, peaked in the 1920s with 16 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(4 years, 1920–1958)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1958 | 5 | #4489 |
| 1929 | 5 | #4516 |
| 1922 | 5 | #4928 |
| 1920 | 6 | #4265 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waite a boy's or girl's name?
When was Waite most popular?
How popular is the name Waite?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1920–1958