Home βΊ Baby Names Directory βΊ Wash
Wash
How to Pronounce Wash
Pronounced WOSH /ΛwΙΚ/High
Meaning: A short form of Washington, given as a first name in honor of George Washington. Washington is an English place-and-surname meaning roughly 'estate/settlement of Wassa's people.' Wash was a common clipped form around 1900.Medium
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Wash is a clipped form of Washington, given to honor George Washington. The surname Washington is an English place-name, roughly 'estate of Wassa's people'; as a first name it spread through 19th-century patriotism, with 'Wash' the everyday short form.
Most common in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Wash faded well before mid-century β a period namesake-name, not part of any revival today.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- Famous bearers coming soon.
If you like Washβ¦
Explore names like Wash
Frequently Asked
What does the name Wash mean?
Wash is a short form of Washington, given to honor George Washington; the surname means roughly 'estate of Wassa's people.'
How do you pronounce Wash?
It's said WOSH /ΛwΙΚ/ β one syllable, stress on the only syllable.
Is Wash a boy or girl name?
Wash is used as a boy's name.
How popular is Wash?
Wash is an old-fashioned namesake-name, common around the turn of the twentieth century and rare for many decades since.