Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
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
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
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
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 (1 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 1 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 | 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 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
18.22% 258th/1416 |
16.17% 223rd/1379 |
5.41% 128th/2366 |
23.47% 268th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
25.42% 393rd/1546 |
19.92% 310th/1556 |
9.14% 215th/2353 |
25.02% 387th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
23.53% 524th/2227 |
14.16% 344th/2430 |
12.09% 345th/2853 |
18.70% 519th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
24.62% 723rd/2937 |
9.45% 329th/3483 |
14.41% 507th/3518 |
16.27% 658th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
20.54% 757th/3685 |
7.44% 333rd/4475 |
10.38% 539th/5194 |
8.22% 519th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
14.45% 662nd/4582 |
7.13% 368th/5164 |
7.25% 530th/7313 |
7.97% 595th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
17.42% 694th/3984 |
12.48% 560th/4487 |
8.88% 606th/6822 |
11.27% 707th/6276 |
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 Louisiana across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South 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 189th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 281st out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 403rd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 523rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 508th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 534th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 643rd out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 4807th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 9204th out of 9204 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 16521st out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 12462nd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 20556th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 17425th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.