Meaning & origin
Where it comes from
In German use, Wetzel is an affectionate form of Werner. An origin associated with Werner is Germanic.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1916. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Wetzel through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 181
- 181 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 1928
- 11 babies
- 2025
- 0
- Outside the ranked list
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- —
- Too few births to compare
By the numbers
The most recent published U.S. birth count for boys is 5 in 1965. Later missing counts do not mean the name went unused. Its largest published annual count for boys was 11 in 1928. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 120 as a first name in 2020; 15,097 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Wetzel’s family of names
Wetzel is an affectionate form of Werner. In German usage, Wetzel as a surname has a related form in Wenzel. In German usage, Wetzel as a surname has a related form in Eichapfel.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 5
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Wetzel, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Webb
“a weaver”
>99% boys
Wendell
“one who travels; a wanderer”
99% boys · 1% girls
Lowell
“resembling a young wolf”
99% boys · 1% girls
Willian
“will” · “desire”
>99% boys
Wilton
“from the town on the river”
>99% boys
Elihu
“My God is He”
>99% boys
Wellington
“estate”
>99% boys
Elwin
“a friend of the elves”
>99% boys