Werner

Werner is a German masculine given name and surname. It has long been used in German-speaking regions, with medieval records and variants such as Wernher appearing in older sources. In modern times, the spelling Werner is the most common form, while Wernher remains a historical variant.

As a given name, Werner is most prevalent in Germany, Austria, and nearby areas, and has been adopted in other languages with minor spelling differences. The surname Werner is also found in German, Dutch, and other European contexts, and individuals bearing the name have contributed across a variety of fields.

Prominent bearers of Werner as a given name include Werner Herzog, a German filmmaker known for both documentary and fiction works; Werner Heisenberg, a German theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate who helped develop quantum mechanics; and Werner von Siemens, the 19th-century industrialist who founded Siemens & Halske. Wernher von Braun (1912–1977) is a closely related variant of the name, though his surname is spelled Wernher.

Other uses: Werner Co. is a U.S.-based manufacturer of ladders, climbing equipment, and related products, a well-known supplier in construction and trades.

See also: Wernher (given name); Werner (disambiguation).