Hedwig
From German Hedwig, from Old High German Haduwig, Hadwig, from Proto-Germanic *Haþuwīgą (from *haþuz (“fight”) + *wīgą (“battle”)).
Every Hedwig since 1880 — 3,077 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Hedwig
Hedwig is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1880, 3,077 American babies have been named Hedwig. Its peak came in 1918, when 159 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Hedwig stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Hedwig year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | 7 | #5,362 |
| 1955 | 11 | #3,648 |
| 1950 | 8 | #4,089 |
| 1945 | 8 | #3,493 |
| 1940 | 13 | #2,347 |
| 1935 | 16 | #2,042 |
| 1930 | 27 | #1,509 |
| 1925 | 61 | #955 |
| 1920 | 128 | #637 |
| 1915 | 152 | #504 |
| 1910 | 43 | #649 |
| 1905 | 28 | #674 |
| 1900 | 18 | #895 |
| 1895 | 41 | #445 |
| 1890 | 28 | #495 |
| 1885 | 11 | #673 |
| 1880 | 7 | #704 |
Famous people named Hedwig
- Hedwig of Silesia Politician · 1174–1243
- Hedwig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp Politician · 1636–1715
- Hedwig Jagiellon, Duchess of Bavaria Politician · 1457–1502
- Hedwig of Saxony Politician · 922–965
- Hedwig Jagiellon, Electress of Brandenburg Politician · 1513–1573
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Hedwig mean?
From German Hedwig, from Old High German Haduwig, Hadwig, from Proto-Germanic *Haþuwīgą (from *haþuz (“fight”) + *wīgą (“battle”)).
How popular is the name Hedwig in 2025?
Hedwig did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Hedwig?
3,077 babies have been named Hedwig in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Hedwig most popular?
Hedwig peaked in 1918, when 159 newborns received the name.
Is Hedwig a boy or girl name?
Hedwig is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Hedwig rising or falling?
Hedwig has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Hedwig?
Well-known people named Hedwig include Hedwig of Silesia (politician), Hedwig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp (politician), Hedwig Jagiellon, Duchess of Bavaria (politician).