How popular is the name Ludwig?

In 2018, 3 boys born in England and Wales were named Ludwig, ranking 4,749th. Its peak was 2012, with 5 births.

Is Ludwig a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 2,696 US babies named Ludwig since 1880 were boys.

When was Ludwig most popular?

1916 in the United States, when 88 babies were named Ludwig, its highest rank at 625th.

How do you pronounce Ludwig?

Ludwig is /ˈludvɪɡ/, 2 syllables.

Is Ludwig also a surname?

Yes. Ludwig is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.

The first name Ludwig

A boy’s name from German.

Pronounced /ˈludvɪɡ/ 2 syllables Male Also a surname

Meaning and origin

German origin

Borrowed from German Ludwig, which see for more information. Doublet of Louis etc.

From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Popularity

Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

Ludwig last appeared in the official list in 2018, given to 3 boys. It peaked in 2012, with 5 births (#3,416).

babies named Ludwig, 1996–2025

#4,749

rank in 2018

2012

peak year

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Ludwig with other names.

Popularity in the United States

Babies named Ludwig at birth, 1880–2025

In 2025, 12 boys born in the United States were named Ludwig, the 7,044th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1916, when 88 were.

2,696

babies named Ludwig since 1880

#7,044

rank in 2025

1916

peak year

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

Famous people named Ludwig

373 on Wikidata, most written-about first

Ludwig van Beethoven
German composer (1770-1827)
Ludwig Wittgenstein
Austrian philosopher and logician (1889–1951)
Ludwig Erhard
Chancellor of West Germany (1963–1966)
Ludwig Boltzmann
Austrian physicist and philosopher (1844–1906)
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
German architect (1886–1969)
Ludwig von Mises
Austrian-American economist (1881–1973)
Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist
German field marshal (1881–1954)
Karl Ludwig Harding
German astronomer (1765-1834)
Ludwig Beck
German general (1880–1944)
Gerhard Ludwig Müller
Catholic cardinal from Germany, born 1947
Archduke Karl Ludwig of Austria
Austrian archduke (1833–1896)
Friedrich Ludwig Jahn
German educator, writer and politician (1778-1852)

More German boys’ names

All 62 names of German origin

Questions

What does the name Ludwig mean?: Borrowed from German Ludwig, which see for more information. Doublet of Louis etc.
What is the origin of the name Ludwig?: Borrowed from German Ludwig, which see for more information. Doublet of Louis etc.
How popular is the name Ludwig?: In 2018, 3 boys born in England and Wales were named Ludwig, ranking 4,749th. Its peak was 2012, with 5 births.
Is Ludwig a boy's or a girl's name?: Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 2,696 US babies named Ludwig since 1880 were boys.
When was Ludwig most popular?: 1916 in the United States, when 88 babies were named Ludwig, its highest rank at 625th.
How do you pronounce Ludwig?: Ludwig is /ˈludvɪɡ/, 2 syllables.
Is Ludwig also a surname?: Yes. Ludwig is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.