Weill

Weill is a surname of German origin, used by several families in German-speaking Europe and among Jewish communities; variant spellings include Weil. The name has become associated with music, academia, and philanthropy through notable individuals and institutions.

The most famous bearer is Kurt Weill (1900–1950), a German-born composer whose collaborations with Bertolt Brecht created some of the most influential works of 20th-century theatre music. Their collaborations include The Threepenny Opera (Die Dreigroschenoper, 1928) and the satirical operas of the Mahagonny cycle. Weill emigrated to the United States in 1935, where he wrote for Broadway, film, and concert stages, blending European modernism with American idioms. He was married to Lotte Lenya, a singer and actress who helped popularize his music.

Beyond individuals, the name Weill is used in the names of institutions and venues, notably Weill Cornell Medicine, a major medical school in New York City. The Weill name in such institutions reflects philanthropic support and institutional partnerships that have carried the name beyond its original family connections.