Declining since 2007, #3,949 for boys today.
Popularity of Wilber since 1880
Babies named Wilber per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1919, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Wilber's real moment was 1882.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 189 |
| 1890s | 155 |
| 1900s | 220 |
| 1910s | 1,048 |
| 1920s | 1,431 |
| 1930s | 958 |
| 1940s | 575 |
| 1950s | 339 |
| 1960s | 174 |
| 1970s | 145 |
| 1980s | 158 |
| 1990s | 366 |
| 2000s | 558 |
| 2010s | 385 |
| 2020s | 190 |
Meaning & origin
Wilber is a variant of Wilbur, sharing the same Old English roots meaning 'will' and 'fortress.' The name saw its highest usage in 1882, ranking 3,949th, and was most common in Massachusetts. Since 2007, it has been on a steady decline, with about 1 in 63,262 boys receiving the name in recent years. Wilber carries a sturdy, vintage feel, reminiscent of late 19th-century naming trends.
Wilber is a variant of Wilbur, derived from the Old English elements 'wil' (will, desire) and 'burh' (fortress). It may also be a habitational name from a place-name meaning 'willow fort'. The name has been used in England since the Middle Ages and gained some popularity in the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Where Wilber is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Will, Wilbie
Sibling names for Wilber
Names that share Wilber's style, for a brother or sister.
