Boy · 534th of 24,088
Wilson
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
48,613
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1918
Peak Popularity Year
1,381
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Wilson 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 Wilson originates from Old English, meaning 'son of Willa', which reflects a strong familial lineage. It has evolved through various forms, including Willa and Willson. The name is associated with strong, reliable traits and has no biblical relevance. Wilson gained popularity in the medieval period and became more common as a given name in the 19th century, especially in America. Notable individuals with the name include Woodrow Wilson, Wilson Pickett, and Brian Wilson.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈwɪl.sən/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Wilson is derived from the Old English personal name 'Willa', which means 'will' or 'desire', combined with the suffix '-son', meaning 'son of'. Thus, Wilson essentially means 'son of Willa'.
Meaning
son of Willa
Language Evolution
Willa, Willson, Wilson
Historical Usage
Wilson gained popularity as a surname in England during the medieval period and became more widely used as a given name in the 19th century, particularly in the United States.
Variants & Derivatives
Will, Willy, Willie
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Wilson is perceived as a strong and traditional name. It conveys a sense of reliability and familial connection.
Famous People
Woodrow Wilson, Wilson Pickett, Brian Wilson
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 1,381 peak births in 1918
Geographic Spread
Popular across 49 US states, with strongest presence in Louisiana
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 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 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 189th of 7545 | 11,693 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 281st of 6773 | 7,207 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 403rd of 7552 | 6,452 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 523rd of 10718 | 3,867 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 508th of 16616 | 5,537 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 534th of 24088 | 7,329 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 643rd of 23106 | 4,972 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 4807th of 9107 | 58 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 9204th of 9204 | 5 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 16521st of 19264 | 10 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 12462nd of 27321 | 62 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 20556th of 35406 | 37 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 17425th of 30306 | 38 |