Wendell Behnke

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Wendell Behnke — Germanic
63K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Wendell Behnke is a name that combines Germanic origins. The first name Wendell is a masculine given name of Germanic origin. Wendell is an alternate spelling of Wendel, a surname of Germanic origin. It is also a masculine given name in the United States, often given to commemorate poet Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809–1894) or his son Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841–1935), a famous justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Wendell was the maiden name of Sarah Holmes, mother of Oliver Wendell Holmes. Since about 1970 Wendell is a common given name in Brazil, where it has been borne by famous footballers. In the United States the popularity of the name peaked around 1940, then declined steadily after 1960. The surname Behnke: Behnke is a surname originating from west Prussia and the western part of Pomerania, which is now modern north west Poland and north east Germany. Albert R. Behnke (1903–1992), American physician Elmer Behnke (1929–2018), American basketball player Gerhard Behnke (1910–1962), German Wehrmacht officer Gunther Behnke (born 1963), retired German basketball player Heinrich Behnke (1898–1979), German mathematician Heinrich Behnke (Medal of Honor) (1882–1952), United States Navy seaman who received the Medal of Honor Heinz Behnke (1919–2002), German Wehrmacht officer Julia Behnke (born 1993), German. Wendell is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 63K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Wendell reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Wendell

Germanic

Wendell is an alternate spelling of Wendel, a surname of Germanic origin. It is also a masculine given name in the United States, often given to commemorate poet Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809–1894) or his son Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841–1935), a famous justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Wendell was the maiden name of Sarah Holmes, mother of Oliver Wendell Holmes. Since about 1970 Wendell is a common given name in Brazil, where it has been borne by famous footballers. In the United States the popularity of the name peaked around 1940, then declined steadily after 1960.

Surname: Behnke

English

Behnke is a surname originating from west Prussia and the western part of Pomerania, which is now modern north west Poland and north east Germany. Albert R. Behnke (1903–1992), American physician Elmer Behnke (1929–2018), American basketball player Gerhard Behnke (1910–1962), German Wehrmacht officer Gunther Behnke (born 1963), retired German basketball player Heinrich Behnke (1898–1979), German mathematician Heinrich Behnke (Medal of Honor) (1882–1952), United States Navy seaman who received the Medal of Honor Heinz Behnke (1919–2002), German Wehrmacht officer Julia Behnke (born 1993), German.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Wendell is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 51%
United Kingdom 28%
Australia 13%
Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Wendell by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Wendell Behnke

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Wendell Behnke:

3
Expression Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

2
Soul Urge Number

Cooperation and sensitivity. A diplomatic, gentle nature with strong empathy, thriving in partnerships and harmony.

1
Personality Number

Leadership and independence. This number suggests a self-reliant, ambitious and pioneering personality that forges its own path.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Wendell?
The first name Wendell originates from Germanic. Wendell is an alternate spelling of Wendel, a surname of Germanic origin. It is also a masculine given name in the United States, often given to commemorate poet Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809–1894) or his son Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841–1935), a famous justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Wendell was the maiden name of Sarah Holmes, mother of Oliver Wendell Holmes. Since about 1970 Wendell is a common given name in Brazil, where it has been borne by famous footballers. In the United States the popularity of the name peaked around 1940, then declined steadily after 1960.
When was Wendell most popular?
The name Wendell reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Behnke?
The surname Behnke originates from English. Behnke is a surname originating from west Prussia and the western part of Pomerania, which is now modern north west Poland and north east Germany. Albert R. Behnke (1903–1992), American physician Elmer Behnke (1929–2018), American basketball player Gerhard Behnke (1910–1962), German Wehrmacht officer Gunther Behnke (born 1963), retired German basketball player Heinrich Behnke (1898–1979), German mathematician Heinrich Behnke (Medal of Honor) (1882–1952), United States Navy seaman who received the Medal of Honor Heinz Behnke (1919–2002), German Wehrmacht officer Julia Behnke (born 1993), German.
What are the origins of the name Wendell Behnke?
The name Wendell Behnke combines two different traditions: the first name Wendell has Germanic roots, while the surname Behnke originates from English.
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