Wake

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Wake

Pronounced WAYK /ˈweɪk/High

Meaning: From the English surname/word Wake — from Old English wacian, 'to be awake, watchful, alert' (a byname for a vigilant person; the rebel Hereward the Wake)Low

In 30 seconds: Alert; watchful: Wake is an English surname/word-name — 'awake, watchful'. Crisp, bold, and warm.

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Wake

Custom knit blankets, embroidered with his name.

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Origin LowEnglish

MeaningFrom the English surname/word Wake — from Old English wacian, 'to be awake, watchful, alert' (a byname for a vigilant person; the rebel Hereward the Wake)

U.S. rank (2025)#6780 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births13 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 238

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Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Wake comes from the English surname and word Wake — from Old English wacian, 'to be awake, watchful, alert, vigilant' (a byname for a watchful person). It is famously borne by Hereward the Wake, the Saxon who resisted the Norman Conquest. A crisp, bold, modern word/surname-name (nickname Wakey).

It registers thinly in records. Rare, alert-and-watchful at the root, and bold.

Did you know? Wake means 'alert, watchful, awake' (Old English wacian, 'to be awake') — a byname for a vigilant person, borne by the Saxon rebel Hereward the Wake — a crisp, bold word/surname-name (said 'WAYK').

Overall data confidence 55%

References — Wake — word/surname origin

Variations

WakefieldWaking

Nicknames

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Explore names like Wake

By themeenglish surname-name word-name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Wake mean?

Wake is an English surname/word-name — Old English 'alert, watchful, awake'.

How do you pronounce Wake?

It's said WAYK /ˈweɪk/ — one syllable.

Is Wake a boy or girl name?

Wake is most often a boy's name.

How popular is Wake?

Wake is a very rare name in the U.S.