Wolfgang

Meaning of Wolfgang

Wolfgang, pronounced VOHLF-gahng in German and WOOLF-gang in English, descends from the Old High German elements “wolf” and “gang,” literally “wolf’s path,” an image that echoes the Latin lupus as a guardian of roads and frontiers. Documented since at least the 8th century, the name vaulted into cultural memory through composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, later gaining modern visibility via celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck and physicist Wolfgang Pauli. In the United States, Wolfgang has never been mainstream yet has shown remarkable endurance, appearing on the Social Security rolls every year since the early 1950s and holding a steady berth between ranks 500 and 900; 144 newborns received the name in 2023, placing it at No. 785. The mix of classical prestige, cross-cultural ease, and the quietly fierce “wolf” element appeals to parents seeking a confident, historic choice that still feels distinctive on today’s playgrounds.