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Wister

Quick answerWister is an English surname derived from the Old English word "wistan," meaning "to know" or "to guide," likely referring to a wise or knowledgeable person.

English · Boy · 2 syllables

W
Top 5,000

Popularity & facts

Relative popularity index, 2010–2025
GenderBoy
US Rank#4,545
TrendVintage
Peak year1923
Syllables2
OriginEnglish
LanguageEnglish
CultureEnglish-speaking
Letters6
Numerology4 Chaldean 3
Global rank#4,545

Popularity over time

Popularity index
Hover the line to see any year. 100 = most popular.

Historical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data

About the name Wister

Wister is an English surname derived from the Old English word "wistan," meaning "to know" or "to guide," likely referring to a wise or knowledgeable person.

This meaning was compiled with AI assistance and is awaiting community review. Know this name well? Help verify or improve it.

Etymology

Wister is an English surname derived from the Old English word "wistan," meaning "to know" or "to guide," likely referring to a wise or knowledgeable person. The name is primarily used in English-speaking cultures, with notable historical bearers including American author Owen Wister (1860–1938), famous for his novel "The Virginian."

Wister currently ranks #4,545 in the United States as a boy's name. It reached its peak popularity around 1923.

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