Waverly

A familiar Old English name with steady appeal.

Girl's name| Also boysOld EnglishDeclining Also a pet name
#916 34in 2024

Meaning & Origin

The name of many places in the United States of America: A small town in Chambers County and Lee County, Alabama. A former settlement in Lassen County, California. An unincorporated community in Larimer County, Colorado. A census-designated place in Polk County, Florida. An unincorporated community in Camden County, Georgia. A small city in Morgan County, Illinois. An unincorporated community in Morgan County, Indiana. A city, the county seat of Bremer County, Iowa. A small city in Coffey County, Kansas. A small home rule city in Union County, Kentucky. An unincorporated community in Madison Parish, Louisiana. A neighbourhood of Baltimore, Maryland. An unincorporated community in Eaton County, Michigan. A small city in Wright County, Minnesota. A small city in Lafayette County, Missouri. A city in Lancaster County, Nebraska. A town in Franklin County, New York. A village in Tioga County, New York. A village, the county seat of Pike County, Ohio. An unincorporated community and census-designated place in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. An unincorporated community and census-designated place in Codington County, South Dakota. A city, the county seat of Humphreys County, Tennessee. unincorporated communities in Albemarle and Caroline Counties, Virginia. An incorporated town in Sussex County, Virginia. A small town in Spokane County, Washington. A census-designated place in Wood County, West Virginia. An unincorporated community in Pierce County, Wisconsin.

Waverly is a girl's and boy's baby name of Old English origin, from the English place name meaning "quaking aspen meadow" or "field of flickering aspens," from the Old English waefre (flickering) and leah (meadow). Sir Walter Scott named his first novel Waverley in 1814, launching one of the most celebrated literary series of the 19th century.

Waverly has been gaining ground in the United States as a gentle, literary name with landscape poetry at its core. Disney Channel's Wizards of Waverly Place — starring Selena Gomez — gave it a generation of young fans, and its four-syllable elegance has kept it in steady use.

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Popularity Over Time

Waverly climbed 4031 spots in the last 20 years — from #4947 to #916.

096192288384192019401960198020002024

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Waverly
DecadeBirthsTrend
2020s1,730
2010s1,650
2000s390
1990s244
1980s22
1970s41
1960s50
1950s66
1940s51
1930s38
1920s20
1910s12

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(80 years, 19142024)
Year-by-year popularity data for the name Waverly
YearBirthsRank
2024289#916
2023305#882
2022384#753
2021381#748
2020371#738
2019337#811
2018269#984
2017255#1019
2016225#1131
2015121#1741
2014133#1623
2013109#1865
201276#2444
201169#2612
201056#3043
200965#2778
200851#3314
200740#3977
200640#3850
200538#3870

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Waverly as a Boy's Name

Though more common for girls, Waverly has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 1,982 births since 1881.

#14106
Current rank
1,982
Total births
1951
Peak year
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Frequently Asked

Can Waverly be used for both boys and girls?
Yes, Waverly is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #916. As a boy's name, it ranks #14106.

Waverly has two lives

Waverly, the baby name
#916girls
4,314 babies
Currently viewing
Waverly, the pet name
#3905pet name
20 pets
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Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (19142024) · Methodology