Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Wilbur originates from Old English, meaning 'desiring fortress'. It evolved from Willeburh to its modern form, Wilbur. The name is often associated with traits of friendliness and a down-to-earth nature. It does not have a biblical relevance. Wilbur gained popularity in the late 19th century and is recognized today through notable figures.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈwɪlbər/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Wilbur is derived from the Old English name 'Willeburh', which combines the elements 'wil', meaning 'will' or 'desire', and 'burh', meaning 'fortress' or 'castle'.
Meaning
Desiring fortress
Language Evolution
Willeburh, Wilber, Wilbur
Historical Usage
Wilbur gained popularity in the late 19th century and has been used in various literary works, contributing to its recognition.
Variants & Derivatives
Wilber, Bill, Will
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Wilbur is often associated with a friendly and down-to-earth image, partly due to its use in popular culture, including children's literature.
Famous People
Wilbur Wright, Wilbur Smith, Wilbur Ross
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,809 peak births in 1918
Geographic Spread
Popular across 48 US states, with strongest presence in Kansas
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 10 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (2 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 2 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 99th of 7545 | 27,108 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 176th of 6773 | 15,558 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 362nd of 7552 | 7,793 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 666th of 10718 | 2,422 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1359th of 16616 | 1,011 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 3559th of 24088 | 427 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3766th of 23106 | 344 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2952nd of 9107 | 168 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 3793rd of 9204 | 105 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 9591st of 12526 | 17 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
5.44% 77th/1416 |
8.27% 114th/1379 |
5.49% 130th/2366 |
9.98% 114th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
10.03% 155th/1546 |
10.86% 169th/1556 |
8.12% 191st/2353 |
14.61% 226th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
15.31% 341st/2227 |
14.77% 359th/2430 |
11.46% 327th/2853 |
20.11% 558th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
21.25% 624th/2937 |
17.46% 608th/3483 |
17.14% 603rd/3518 |
24.75% 1001st/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
40.87% 1506th/3685 |
37.63% 1684th/4475 |
26.68% 1386th/5194 |
29.90% 1889th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
63.31% 2901st/4582 |
- | - |
44.14% 3294th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
62.00% 2470th/3984 |
83.98% 3768th/4487 |
- | - |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Kansas across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 99th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 176th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 362nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 666th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1359th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 3559th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3766th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2952nd out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3793rd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 9591st out of 12526 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.