Wald — Last Name Origin & Meaning

German origin Rank #8,172 in the US 4,057 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#8,172
▼ Down 1788 since 2000
People in the US
4,057
1.38 per 100K people
Origin
German
German

Origin & Meaning of the Wald Surname

What does the last name Wald mean?

The surname Wald carries the meaning "Forest." It is derived from the German language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 4,057 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Wald ranks as the #8,172 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Wald come from?

The Wald surname has its roots in German heritage. Names of German origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Wald name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Wald trace back to German. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

German German

Quick Facts

Surname Wald
Meaning Forest
Origin German
Language German
US Rank (2010) #8,172
US Count (2010) 4,057
Per 100K People 1.38
First Letter W

Ethnic Distribution of Wald

According to the US Census, the Wald surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 4,057 Americans with the Wald last name.

White 91.74%
Black 3.25%
Hispanic 2.05%
Asian/PI 1.08%
Native American 0.52%
Two+ Races 1.36%
Ethnic distribution of the Wald surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White91.74%
Black3.25%
Hispanic2.05%
Asian/Pacific Islander1.08%
Native American0.52%
Two or More Races1.36%

Popularity of Wald Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Wald surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#6,384
4,910 people
Down 1788
Census 2010
#8,172
4,057 people

The number of Americans with the Wald surname decreased by 853 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Wald Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Wald ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Wald

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Wald.

Other German Surnames

Explore more surnames with German roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same German origin as Wald.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wald

The surname Wald is of German origin. Forest
The surname Wald is ranked #8,172 in the United States with approximately 4,057 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Forest. The name has German roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Wald surname is distributed as: 91.7% White. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Wald ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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