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Witten

♂ Boy

Pronounced WIT-en /ˈwɪt.ən/High

Meaning: English surname from Old English hwit (white) and tun (settlement), meaning white settlement; also a German place name and surname meaning the same; used as a given name after NFL player Jason WittenMedium

In 30 seconds: Witten is an Old English and German surname meaning white settlement, from hwit (white) and tun (farm). As a given name it is rare and modern, associated closely with NFL tight end Jason Witten, who inspired a generation of sports-named boys.
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Origin MediumOld English, German
MeaningEnglish surname from Old English hwit (white) and tun (settlement), meaning white settlement; also a German place name and surname meaning the same; used as a given name after NFL player Jason Witten
U.S. rank (2024)#3091 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births40 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2018
Total births (all-time)≈ 974

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201820072024

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

History & Origin

Witten derives from Old English hwit (white) and tun (settlement, farm), meaning the white settlement, likely describing a place with white-painted or chalk-stone buildings. Witten is also the name of a city in the Ruhr area of Germany, with the same Germanic roots. As an English surname it is recorded in English and Scottish records.

As a given name, Witten is almost entirely a 21st-century phenomenon, driven in the United States by the fame of Jason Witten, the Dallas Cowboys tight end who played 16 seasons and became one of the greatest at his position. His consistent excellence and high-character reputation made his surname attractive to American parents, particularly in Texas and the South, who wanted a name that conveyed athletic strength and reliability.

Did you know? Jason Witten (born 1982), eleven-time Pro Bowl tight end for the Dallas Cowboys, is so beloved among Cowboys fans that parents began giving their sons the last name Witten as a first name — a phenomenon of fan-driven athlete naming.
Overall data confidence 82%
Ekwall, Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names (1960) — Whitton/Witten place-name etymologyDallas Cowboys — Jason Witten official biography — Notable bearer and naming impact

Variations

WhittenWhittonWitton

Nicknames

Witt

Famous Bearers

  • ★Jason Witten (1982–present)
    American former football tight end and eleven-time Pro Bowl selection who played primarily for the Dallas Cowboys and is regarded as one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history.

If you like Witten…

Sutton— English -ton surname name used as a modern given name
Colton— Old English -ton surname name widely used as a contemporary first name
Dalton— Old English -ton surname name of similar masculine feel
Easton— Old English place-name turned given name of same structure

Frequently Asked

What does the name Witten mean?

Witten means white settlement, from Old English hwit (white) and tun (settlement or farm).

How do you pronounce Witten?

Witten is pronounced WIT-en, with two syllables and stress on the first.

Is Witten a boy or girl name?

Witten is used as a boys name.

How popular is Witten?

Witten is a rare given name used mostly in the United States, particularly among Dallas Cowboys fans who named sons after Jason Witten.