Surname Wunsch - Meaning and Origin

An Uncovering: The Cultural and Historical Revelations of my Surname 'Wunsch' through iGENEA DNA Test

Taking the iGENEA DNA test was a step towards uncovering my roots, the history and origins of my surname 'Wunsch.' This journey has woven a fascinating narrative, spanning centuries, from medieval Germany to the ash-laden landscapes of the Holocaust, connecting me to my ancestral lineage in ways beyond imaginable.

A. Wunsch

Wunsch: What does the surname Wunsch mean?

The last name Wunsch is of German origin and is a toponymic surname derived from the word 'wunsch', which means 'wish' or 'desire' in German. The name typically referred to someone from a town called Wunsch or Wunschberg, which was located near modern day Frankfurt in Germany. It may also have been a nickname used to refer to an optimist or someone of an idealistic nature, due to the connotations of the word 'wunsch'.

The surname is rarely found outside of Germany and is most common in the southeastern region of the country, particularly in Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg. It is also found in the United States, where many German immigrants settled in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Throughout the years, the name has been modified, sometimes spelled Wünsche or Wünsch, though Wunsch is the original spelling. Its variants are common throughout the world today.

The name Wunsch carries with it many of the characteristics of its definition: optimism, ambition, and idealism. Its bearers often have expansive hopes for the future, remaining determined and resourceful in their quest to achieve them.

Wunsch: Where does the name Wunsch come from?

The last name Wunsch is most common in Germany today. It is used as an occupational surname referring to a wish or desire. Most people with this surname live in the German states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Berlin.

The last name Wunsch is also a popular surname in Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands, and Poland. In Poland, the surname Wunsch is spelled Wąszek.

The name was taken on by Jewish families who immigrated to Poland in the 18th century. By the 19th century, the name had become popular in other parts of Europe as well, such as Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.

In modern times, Wunsch is still a common surname in Germany and other parts of Europe. According to genealogy records, the name is gaining popularity among Europeans who reside in the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Australia. It is also used in Latin American countries, including Mexico, Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru.

Today, Wunsch is still a fairly common surname, with many people bearing the name living in the various countries mentioned above. It is a popular occupational surname among Europeans, and its various spellings are often used in different countries of the world.

Variations of the surname Wunsch

The German surname Wunsch is derived from the Middle High German word "wunsche" which means "desire". The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin are as follows:

Variants: Wonsch, Wonscher, Wonschmann

Spellings: Wunsche, Wunsch, Wonce, Wonsche, Wonce

Surnames: Wunscheberg, Wunschel, Wunschek, Wunschmann, Wunschke, Wunschius.

Wunsche is a German occupational surname stemming from the Middle High German word for “desire.” Those bearing the name were likely involved with tailoring, goods distribution, and other such occupations related to the clothing and fashion industry. This surname often appears with other common German word variants, such as Wonsch, Wonce, Wonsche, and Wonscher.

The surname has been found in various parts of Germany, from Brandenburg on the eastern side to Bavaria on the south-center. According to surname distribution data from the 1800s, the highest concentrations of the Wunsche surname were located in the relatively small states of Waldeck, Anhalt, and Mecklenburg.

The spelling and pronunciation of the name Wunsche can vary significantly, even within the same family. Wunschke, Wunschel, Wunschek, and Wunschmann can all be commonly seen due to the sound and spelling changes that occurred over time.

Wunsche is a relatively common German surname, not only featuring in German but also other countries around the world. There are several well-known individuals who bear this surname: physicist Roma Wunsche (1929–2013); physician and surgeon Elwood Wunsche (1902–1985); and entrepreneur Victoria Wunsch (1915–2013).

Famous people with the name Wunsch

• Jack Wunsch: actor and musician known from the musicals Hair, Footloose and Peter Pan.
• Robert Wunsch: a German writer and director who won acclaim for his independent films.
• Werner Wunsch: a German chess master and writer who Olympic-level match play in 1952.
• Michele Wunsch: a Pulitzer-winning American journalist who has contributed to The New York Times, The Washington Post, and ABC News.
• Jeffrey Wunsch: an American fine art photographer who specializes in portraiture.
• Veronika Wunsch: a German fashion designer and former model who is the founder of the label VIVENDI.
• Cameron Wunsch: an American skateboarder who was ranked one of the top 20 professional skateboarders in the world by Thrasher magazine.
• David Wunsch: a Polish-born British composer who was the recipient of the Robert Schumann Prize in 2005.
• Crissy Wunsch: a Canadian artist, painter and sculptor.
• Max Wunsch: a German geologist and meteorologist who studied the thermodynamics of water at atmospheric pressure.

Other surnames

WünscheWünscher