Rising since 1987, #429 for boys today.
Popularity of Wilder since 1914
Babies named Wilder per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 | 47 |
| 1920s | 16 | 72 |
| 1930s | 0 | 26 |
| 1940s | 0 | 15 |
| 1950s | 0 | 16 |
| 1960s | 0 | 6 |
| 1970s | 0 | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 | 51 |
| 1990s | 0 | 155 |
| 2000s | 12 | 366 |
| 2010s | 213 | 2,652 |
| 2020s | 392 | 4,786 |
Meaning & origin
Wilder is a strong, nature-inspired name that has risen steadily in popularity since the 1980s. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1914, but remained rare for decades. The name began its modern ascent in 1987, with a steep climb in the 2000s and 2010s, reaching its peak rank of 429th in 2021. In 2025, it was given to about 1 in 2,299 boys, with particular popularity in Vermont, South Dakota, and Maine. The name's appeal lies in its adventurous sound and its connection to the American landscape, fitting a broader trend of surname-style first names.
Wilder is an English surname that originated as a topographic name for someone who lived in a wild, uncultivated area (from Old English wilder, a derivative of wilde 'wild'). Alternatively, it may derive from the Old English personal name Wildhere, composed of wild 'wild' and here 'army'. As a given name, it follows the trend of using occupational and nature-related surnames as first names, particularly in the United States, where it has gained popularity since the late 20th century.
Where Wilder 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.
“Wilder” around the world
Where Wilder lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Wild, Wiley
Sibling names for Wilder
Names that share Wilder's style, for a brother or sister.
