This collection lists 49 Male names that start with W, spanning from “Vladimir” to “Wystan”. You’ll find traditional Germanic favorites, modern variants, and culturally specific names useful for parents, writers, and researchers.
Male names that start with W are masculine given names beginning with the letter W. Many come from Old English or Germanic roots, and famous bearers include Winston Churchill and William Shakespeare.
Below you’ll find the table with [COLUMN_NAMES].
Name: The given name as listed; you use this to scan options and compare spelling or variants.
Origin: Shows linguistic or cultural origin so you can assess historical background and cultural associations quickly.
Meaning: Gives a concise meaning or root sense, helping you judge the name’s significance or symbolism.
Notable bearers: Lists famous or historical people with the name so you can see real-world associations and fame.
Popularity: Provides relative usage or trend notes, letting you compare how common the name is across places and time.
Male names that start with W
| Name | Usage | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| William | Male | German | Desire protection |
| Wyatt | Male | English | Brave in war |
| Wesley | Male | English | West meadow |
| Walter | Male | German | Power of the army |
| Warren | Male | French, German | Park-keeper |
| Wade | Male | Anglo-Saxon | At the river crossing |
| Wayne | Male | English | Wagon maker |
| Walker | Male | English | Cloth walker |
| Weston | Male | English | From the western town |
| Winston | Male | English | Joy stone |
| Wallace | Male | Scottish | Foreigner, Welshman |
| Will | Male | German, English | Desire protection |
| Wolfgang | Male | German | Traveling wolf |
| Wilbur | Male | German | Wild boar |
| Wilfred | Male | Old English | Desires peace |
| Wendell | Male | German | To wander, traveler |
| Wiley | Male | English | Crafty or willow meadow |
| Wilson | Male | English | Son of Will |
| Watson | Male | English | Son of Walter |
| Wilder | Male | English, German | Untamed, wild |
| Wynn | Male | Welsh | Fair, white, blessed |
| Wasim | Male | Arabic | Handsome, graceful |
| Waldo | Male | German | To rule |
| Willem | Male | Dutch | Desire protection |
| Wilhelm | Male | German | Desire protection |
| Vladimir | Male | Slavic | To rule with greatness |
| Wojciech | Male | Slavic, Polish | Warrior of joy |
| Wenceslas | Male | Slavic | Greater glory |
| Werner | Male | German | The defending warrior |
| Woodrow | Male | English | Row of houses by a wood |
| Willard | Male | German | Bravely desired |
| Winslow | Male | English | Friend’s hill |
| Waylon | Male | English | Land beside the road |
| Ward | Male | Old English | Guardian, watchman |
| Willis | Male | English | Son of Will |
| Wolf | Male | German, English | Wolf |
| Woody | Male | English | From the wood |
| Warner | Male | German | The defending warrior |
| Walid | Male | Arabic | Newborn |
| Wellington | Male | English | From the wealthy estate |
| Worth | Male | English | Enclosure, homestead |
| Wystan | Historically male | Old English | Battle stone |
| Warwick | Male | English | Dwellings by the weir |
| Wren | Predominantly male | English | Small brown songbird |
| Whitney | Historically male | English | White island |
| Whitman | Male | English | White man |
| Wael | Male | Arabic | Savior, rescuer |
| Wafi | Male | Arabic | Trustworthy, loyal |
| Wycliffe | Historically male | English | White cliff |
Descriptions
William
A timeless classic, consistently one of the most popular boys’ names for centuries. Famous bearers include William Shakespeare and Prince William. Often shortened to Will or Liam.
Wyatt
Originally a medieval surname, Wyatt has become a hugely popular given name, evoking a rugged, Old West feel thanks to lawman Wyatt Earp.
Wesley
A gentle and friendly name derived from an English surname and place name. It has been a steady presence on popularity charts for decades and can be shortened to Wes.
Walter
A strong, classic German name brought to England by the Normans. Notable bearers include Walt Disney and Sir Walter Raleigh. Often shortened to Walt.
Warren
A distinguished and classic name with Norman origins. It was most popular in the early 20th century but retains a timeless, dependable feel.
Wade
A strong, one-syllable name with Old English roots tied to nature. It has a relaxed, confident feel and has been consistently used for generations.
Wayne
An occupational surname that became a popular given name, strongly associated with American masculinity through actor John Wayne and hockey star Wayne Gretzky.
Walker
A stylish occupational surname that has surged in popularity as a given name. It projects an image of an active, outdoorsy, and friendly individual.
Weston
A sophisticated place-name surname that has become a popular alternative to West. It’s often shortened to the cool, breezy Wes.
Winston
A stately and distinguished name forever linked to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. It conveys strength, intelligence, and historical weight.
Wallace
A historic Scottish surname, famously borne by hero William Wallace. It has a classic, slightly quirky charm and can be shortened to Wally.
Will
Often a short form of William, Will has also long been used as a standalone name. It’s friendly, strong, and classic, borne by actors like Will Smith.
Wolfgang
A powerful and dramatic German name, forever associated with the brilliant composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It’s a bold choice with immense cultural weight.
Wilbur
A gentle, old-fashioned name with a charming, quirky feel. Best known for Wilbur Wright of the Wright brothers and the pig from *Charlotte’s Web*.
Wilfred
A gentle yet strong Anglo-Saxon name popular in the UK. It offers the charming nicknames Wilf or Fred and feels both classic and fresh.
Wendell
A warm, gentle name with literary ties to poet Wendell Berry and Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes. It feels both scholarly and down-to-earth.
Wiley
A friendly and approachable surname-name that has a clever, spirited feel. It’s a more modern-sounding alternative to classic names like William.
Wilson
A classic patronymic surname that works well as a friendly and solid given name. It feels both traditional and approachable.
Watson
A distinguished surname forever linked to Sherlock Holmes’s loyal companion, Dr. Watson. It projects intelligence, reliability, and classic British charm.
Wilder
A spirited and adventurous surname-name that has rapidly climbed the popularity charts. It suggests a love for nature and a free-spirited personality.
Wynn
A short, crisp, and appealing Welsh name. While traditionally masculine in Wales, its sound has made it a stylish choice for any gender elsewhere.
Wasim
A popular and attractive name throughout the Arabic-speaking world. It carries connotations of beauty, good looks, and a pleasing personality.
Waldo
A vintage name with German roots, now overwhelmingly associated with the hidden character in the “Where’s Waldo?” book series, giving it a playful feel.
Willem
The classic Dutch form of William, it feels both traditional and internationally stylish. Actor Willem Dafoe is a famous bearer.
Wilhelm
The strong, stately German equivalent of William. It is a royal name in Germany and Sweden, borne by kaisers and kings throughout history.
Vladimir
A powerful and historically significant Slavic name, borne by saints, grand princes of Kyiv, and modern leaders like Vladimir Putin.
Wojciech
A classic and very popular name in Poland. Saint Wojciech is a patron saint of Poland. The name is often shortened to Wojtek.
Wenceslas
The Latinized form of a Slavic name, famously belonging to the “Good King Wenceslas” of the Christmas carol, a 10th-century Duke of Bohemia.
Werner
A strong, classic German name with a long history of use. It has an intellectual and serious feel, borne by filmmaker Werner Herzog.
Woodrow
A presidential surname-name, strongly associated with the 28th U.S. President, Woodrow Wilson. It has a distinguished, slightly rustic feel and shortens to Woody.
Willard
A vintage name that was popular in the early 20th century. It has a gentle, old-fashioned charm, with actor Willard Scott as a notable bearer.
Winslow
A distinguished and slightly artistic English surname, famously borne by American painter Winslow Homer. It offers the friendly nickname “Win.”
Waylon
A name with a cool, country-western vibe, popularized by country music legend Waylon Jennings. It has surged in popularity in recent years.
Ward
A short, strong, and straightforward occupational name. It has an old-money, traditional feel and was more common in the early 20th century.
Willis
A classic patronymic surname that peaked as a first name a century ago. It feels more distinctive than William, with actor Bruce Willis as its most famous bearer.
Wolf
A fierce and bold nature name with deep roots in German and Jewish cultures. It can be a standalone name or a short form of Wolfgang.
Woody
A friendly, informal name that began as a nickname for Woodrow. It’s strongly associated with characters like Woody from *Toy Story* and actor Woody Harrelson.
Warner
A strong German surname that sounds both classic and contemporary as a given name. It is associated with the Warner Bros. entertainment company.
Walid
A classic and widely used name in the Arab world. It has a gentle meaning and a strong, handsome sound.
Wellington
A grand and aristocratic English place name, famously associated with the Duke of Wellington who defeated Napoleon. Offers the nickname Wells.
Worth
A short, strong, and dignified name that suggests value and integrity. It has a preppy, old-money feel and is a unique choice.
Wystan
A rare and literary name, best known as the first name of the celebrated 20th-century poet W. H. Auden. It is a highly distinctive choice.
Warwick
A distinguished English place name and surname, associated with Warwick Castle in England. It has a noble, historic, and slightly formal feel.
Wren
A charming nature name that has surged in popularity for both boys and girls, though it has strong historical roots as a male name.
Whitney
A preppy English surname that was once primarily a masculine name before becoming overwhelmingly popular for girls in the 1980s.
Whitman
A literary surname-name honoring the great American poet Walt Whitman. It has a sophisticated, intellectual, and slightly rustic charm.
Wael
A common and well-regarded name in Arabic-speaking countries. It has a strong yet gentle sound and a noble, heroic meaning.
Wafi
An Arabic name with a deeply positive meaning, conveying reliability and devotion. It is a popular choice in the Muslim world.
Wycliffe
A historic and rare name, primarily known through the 14th-century English theologian John Wycliffe, an early proponent of biblical translation.