- First names from A to Z
- ›
- Boy Names
- ›
- Werther
Werther
Fact sheet
- Name
- Werther
- Gender
- Boy name
- Syllables
- 2
The first name Werther has its roots in the Old High German name Werdheri. Its meaning can be interpreted as 'the guardian of the army'.
What does the name Werther mean?
The first name Werther is derived from the Old High German Werdheri and carries the meaning 'the guardian of the army'. The name is composed of the Old High German terms wart, which means 'the guardian', 'the protector', or 'the watchman', and hari or heri, which means 'the army', 'the war band', 'the army leader', or 'the warrior'. Werther is also the name of a place near Bielefeld, which belongs to the district of Gütersloh and is known for the candies 'Werther's Original'. The name gained fame also through Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's novel 'The Sorrows of Young Werther', published in 1774, which is considered an important work of the Sturm und Drang period that significantly influenced romantic literature. Variants include Wert and Werta.
Where does the name Werther come from?
The name Werther has an Old High German origin and means 'the guardian of the army'. The word components consist of wart, which means 'the guardian', 'the protector', or 'the watchman', and hari or heri, which stands for 'the army', 'the war band', 'the army leader', or 'the warrior'. The language is German.
How do you pronounce Werther?
The pronunciation of Werther is two syllables and ends softly. It is pronounced as 'Wer-ther' [ˈveːɐ̯tɐ], where the 'th' sounds like a simple 't', creating a clear and calm sound. The ending '-er' provides a harmonious rounding without harshness. Werther radiates literary charm and tradition – a name with clear structure and cultivated presence.
When is the name day of Werther?
The name day of Werther is on November 1.
Popularity
In Germany, Werther is a rather rare first name. In 2016, it ranked 4,252nd on the list of the most common male baby names. In the last ten years, the name has been given less than 10 times, placing it at 8,008th in the ten-year statistics. For the period from 2010 to 2024, it ranks 9,767th. Information on worldwide popularity and rankings in other countries can be found on the corresponding pages.
Nicknames & pet names
Leuchtturmwerther
Famous people
- Werther (the Sorrows of Young Werther by Goethe (commits suicide at the end))
Frequently asked questions about the name Werther
What does the first name Werther mean?
The first name Werther means 'the guardian of the army' and is composed of the Old High German terms for 'guardian' and 'war band'.
Where does the name Werther come from?
Werther has an Old High German origin and is rooted in the German language.
How popular is the name Werther?
Werther has a long literary tradition, particularly through Goethe's novel, and enjoys a certain popularity, especially in cultural contexts.