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© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Wave — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Wattson|Waverlee
English◈ Unisex · 52% boy · 48% girl↑↑ Surging

◈= unisex (gender-neutral)

Wave

◈

WAYV · 1 syllables

Share Wave:
Compare with another name
Boy
#3259
↑↑ Surging
Boy
#3259
Popularity score: 18
↑↑ Surging
Peak
#3259 in 2024
5yr
+1073 ranks
Velocity
+1073
Birth frequency
1.0 per 100,000 births
Girl
#17491
Popularity score: 1
→ Stable
Peak
#15177 in 2022
5yr
—
Velocity
—
Birth frequency
1.4 per 1,000,000 births

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

How Popular Is This Name?

Bars show the range of popularity for each group. The dot shows where this name sits. Further right = more popular.

BOY
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #3259 · Rising since 2020

All US boy names
Top 200 boy names
English boy names
Wave

Popularity score: 18  ·  SSA Rank: #3259

GIRL
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20222024

Rank #17491 · Falling since 2022

All US girl names
Top 200 girl names
English girl names
Wave

Popularity score: 1  ·  SSA Rank: #17491

Rare  ·  Distinctive  ·  Familiar  ·  Common  ·  Very Common

Popularity score: 0 = least popular, 100 = most popular. Based on SSA rank.

Namesake Score
84
Higher than 84% of names
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
↑↑ Surging
+1073 ranks
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Limited
.com taken · — · clear
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
55
7 per 10,000 births
Won't be common in class

Wave is surging in popularity right now.

Meaning Depth37% of score
60
Name Trend28% of score
88
Uniqueness20% of score
55
Feasibility15% of score
50

Scores are percentile-ranked across 43,000+ names.

Name DNA
NatureWaterModernUnisex1-syllableContemporaryElementalTrendy
Character
fluid adaptabilityrhythmic persistencenatural powerconstant motioncleansing renewal
STRONG
High confidence

Wave is an English unisex name with upward momentum in SSA rankings. It ranked #3259 in the US in 2024.

Trend:↑↑ Surging · +1073 ranks
Feasibility:.com taken · — · clear
Popularity:#3259 · very rare
Wave at a Glance
Meaning:A ridge of water or undulation on a surface. Inspired by the natural phenomenon of oceanic movement and motion.
Language root:Old English · Germanic
Peak rank:#3259 in 2024
5yr change:+1073 ranks
Sex usage:Boy #3259 · Girl #17491
Notable bearers

No notable bearers on record.

Similar Sound
WayneWavyWaverWade◈Wane
Similar Style
Cove◈Sage◈River◈Storm◈Reef◈
Works well with
Cove◈Sage◈River◈Storm◈IvyWren◈Reef◈Cedar◈
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Cove◈
English · #1207
↑↑ Surging
River◈
English · #112
→ Stable
Reef◈
Celtic · #2584
↓ Fading
Jack
English · #15
→ Stable
Hudson
English · #22
→ Stable
Jackson
English · #35
→ Stable
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Name Intelligence
Wave · Overview
Summary

Wave is an English unisex name with upward momentum in SSA rankings. It ranked #3259 in the US in 2024.

Strengths
Strong fundamentals
Wave scores 84/100 on the Namesake scale — meaning, origin, and trend all contribute positively.
Surging fast
Rank has moved 1073 positions in the last year. Exceptional momentum.
Works for any sex
52% boy · 48% girl. A genuinely unisex name is rare at this level of distinctiveness.
Nature · Modern character
Wave carries a cool, grounded quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
Considerations
Rising very fast
Wave is surging. If the trend continues, it may become significantly more common within 2-3 years.
Domain taken
wave.com is not available. Alternative TLDs may work.
Explore

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Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
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