A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Wilbur since 1880
Babies named Wilbur per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 914 |
| 1890s | 1,142 |
| 1900s | 1,839 |
| 1910s | 12,411 |
| 1920s | 15,713 |
| 1930s | 9,044 |
| 1940s | 5,962 |
| 1950s | 4,133 |
| 1960s | 2,572 |
| 1970s | 1,273 |
| 1980s | 782 |
| 1990s | 433 |
| 2000s | 259 |
| 2010s | 251 |
| 2020s | 178 |
Meaning & origin
Wilbur is a name of Old English origin, likely meaning 'resolute fortress' or 'willow fort.' It was most popular in the early 1900s, reaching its peak in 1913. After a long decline, it has seen a modest revival, rising in popularity since 2011. Currently, it ranks 3,949th with an occurrence rate of 1 in 63,262 births. The name carries a nostalgic, vintage feel, often associated with farmstead simplicity and early aviation pioneer Wilbur Wright.
Wilbur derives from the Old English elements 'wil' (will, desire) and 'burh' (fortress, protection), thus meaning 'resolute fortress.' Alternatively, it may come from 'wīlig' (willow) and 'burh,' meaning 'willow fort.' The name was revived in the 19th century and gained some popularity in the early 20th century.
Where Wilbur 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.
“Wilbur” around the world
Where Wilbur lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
New Zealand
10
babies in 2025
Sources: NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Will, Bill, Wib
Sibling names for Wilbur
Names that share Wilbur's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Mabel, Edith, Florence, Beatrice, Clara, Wilma, Altha, Berniece, Delma, Elouise, Elva, Eulah, Gussie, Laverna, Melva, Mertie, Nelda, Oleta, Verla, Vernie, Alvena, Awilda, Blondell, Elwanda, Fleta, Glendora, Lahoma, Laveta, Lavona, Ozella, Velda, Vilma, Waneta, Willene, Alfrieda, Altie, Alvenia, Arleta, Belma, Belvia, Berneda, Charlaine, Corlis, Doreatha, Dosha, Doshie, Ersie, Estes, Eudelia, Fayrene, Jestine, Lavella, Lemmie, Letti, Luevenia, Lutricia, Mardella, Meryle, Mirtha, Nelma, Nelva, Orva, Reola, Velna, Velta, Wanna, Wauneta, Weltha, Willma, Wylma, Wynema, Zelpha, Albirta, Alfretta, Areatha, Berdella, Berline, Chestine, Claryce, Cloma, Clorine, Clotee, Delberta, Eldean, Gilma, Gurtha, Inetta, Inza, Jilda, Ladoris, Lavaun, Marvie, Norva, Obera, Orlinda, Orvilla, Ozelle, Talma, Thelda, Uldine, Verneta, Willadene, Willodene, Wilsie, Berlene, Birdella, Olamae, Almetta, Alnita, Alveda, Alveta, Arcenia, Arneda, Arwilda, Belvie, Berdia, Bernetha, Birdena, Charlestine, Deltha, Denelda, Earnestene, Eldine, Eldoris, Elgene, Elzada, Ertha, Etoy, Eulene, Felma, Glema, Guelda, Ilamae, Laberta, Leveta, Loveda, Loyda, Lummie, Luverna, Mabeline, Milta, Murdis, Odester, Oleda, Sible, Twylla, Velvia, Velvie, Verble, Verdine, Verley, Verneal, Verneice, Virdell, Walsie, Waunetta, Welda, Welma, Wilba, Wilene, Winola, Zeffie, Zelta, Zenola
Brothers: Chester, Elmer, Homer, Orville, Walter, Cecil, Wilbert, Alvah, Buford, Delmer, Delwin, Dewitt, Elwood, Ervin, Luverne, Marlin, Millard, Norris, Orval, Orvil, Ozie, Rayfield, Sherwood, Wilmer, Arvel, Arvil, Burdette, Delton, Demaris, Edsel, Elroy, Ferrell, Glenwood, Hayward, Hazen, Hillard, Lamon, Malvin, Manford, Ottis, Pernell, Prentice, Prentis, Prentiss, Rexford, Rollie, Theodis, Verdell, Verlin, Wendel, Armstead, Arvie, Bufford, Burney, Delmont, Deloy, Dewaine, Eldo, Grafton, Harrel, Horton, Hulon, Leman, Levester, Lilburn, Linville, Lonzie, Malvern, Marston, Marvelle, Norvel, Norvin, Opie, Orrie, Orvel, Orvis, Pervis, Pinkney, Rodell, Standley, Terril, Thurlow, Tolbert, Vernis, Windle, Winferd, Worley, Arlester, Barth, Belford, Bluford, Burleigh, Carthel, Caswell, Chalmer, Cleston, Crandall, Delman, Delno, Dencil, Elester, Ferman, Firman, Garnie, Hanford, Harvel, Hearl, Herschell, Lecil, Olney, Orbie, Orvill, Percell, Ranson, Thermon, Ulis, Veldon, Wadell, Welby, Leston, Algia, Alphus, Alvon, Arnol, Atwell, Aulton, Burwell, Culver, Delmo, Deloyd, Denvil, Duell, Hilman, Hoyte, Hulbert, Lannis, Ledell, Lenville, Leroi, Lomax, Lyndle, Mervil, Narvel, Nester, Orvan, Orvile, Plez, Proctor, Rawson, Sargent, Tildon, Velton, Virgal, Wendle, Wildon, Willman, Wilman, Wilmon
