Boy · 99th of 7,545
Wilbur
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
57,170
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1918
Peak Popularity Year
1,809
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Wilbur stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
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 Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
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
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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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
Compare 2 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
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
Full popularity table across American generations 10 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |