A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Wheeler since 1880
Babies named Wheeler per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2024, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Wheeler's real moment was 1899.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 73 |
| 1890s | 59 |
| 1900s | 75 |
| 1910s | 219 |
| 1920s | 287 |
| 1930s | 171 |
| 1940s | 168 |
| 1950s | 133 |
| 1960s | 57 |
| 1970s | 47 |
| 1980s | 30 |
| 1990s | 73 |
| 2000s | 104 |
| 2010s | 220 |
| 2020s | 200 |
Meaning & origin
Wheeler is an English occupational surname turned given name, most popular in the late 19th century with its peak in 1899. After decades of decline, it has been rising steadily since 1988, reflecting a broader trend of occupational surnames as first names. Historically, it was given to boys, consistent with its 1880 debut. While not highly common today (ranking 3450th in 2025, or about 1 in 51,760 births), its revival since the late 1980s aligns with the fashion for surnames like Cooper and Mason, though Wheeler remains less frequent, suggesting it may appeal to parents seeking a distinctive yet familiar name.
Wheeler is an English occupational surname derived from Middle English 'wheler' (wheel-maker). It became used as a given name in the 19th century, initially as a transferred surname honoring family lines, and saw modest popularity in the late 1800s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Wheel, Wheels
Sibling names for Wheeler
Names that share Wheeler's style, for a brother or sister.
