A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Wilhelmina since 1880
Babies named Wilhelmina per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1916, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Wilhelmina's real moment was 1884.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 680 |
| 1890s | 1,018 |
| 1900s | 1,137 |
| 1910s | 2,241 |
| 1920s | 2,038 |
| 1930s | 1,246 |
| 1940s | 954 |
| 1950s | 904 |
| 1960s | 475 |
| 1970s | 216 |
| 1980s | 132 |
| 1990s | 131 |
| 2000s | 195 |
| 2010s | 964 |
| 2020s | 763 |
Meaning & origin
Wilhelmina has a long history of use, first recorded in the United States in 1880. Its peak year was 1884, when it was particularly favored in states such as Wisconsin, Maryland, and Michigan. After a long decline, the name has been steadily rising again since 1988, showing a revival in the 1980s. While still uncommon, with a 2025 rank of 1512 and a frequency of about 1 in 11,399 births, Wilhelmina offers a distinguished, vintage feel for parents seeking a name with royal and Germanic roots.
Wilhelmina is the feminine form of Wilhelm, the German cognate of William. The name derives from the Old High German elements 'willio' (will, desire) and 'helm' (helmet, protection), thus meaning 'resolute protector'. It entered English usage in the 19th century, often as a royal name in the Netherlands and Germany.
Where Wilhelmina is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Wilhelmina” around the world
Where Wilhelmina lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mina, Willie, Willa, Mien
Sibling names for Wilhelmina
Names that share Wilhelmina's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Charlotte, Louisa, Matilda, Henrietta, Augusta, Alfreda, Alvina, Bertina, Earnestine, Elberta, Ernestina, Fredericka, Georgeanna, Hermina, Melvina, Willetta, Albertha, Albertina, Elfrieda, Frederica, Fredricka, Georganna, Hedwig, Aletta, Alfreida, Alfrieda, Earnesteen, Fredonia, Fredrica, Georgena, Lubertha, Ricarda, Robena, Robertha, Thomasena, Wilhelmenia, Willamina, Willena, Adelheid, Bernestine, Edwinna, Ernesteen, Henritta, Melvena, Norberta, Thomasa, Thomasene, Wilhemenia, Albirda, Anselma, Fredrika, Gilberta, Helma, Herberta, Huberta, Ludella, Otillia, Roderica
Brothers: Wilhelm, Frederick, Heinrich, Albert, Otto, Adolphus, Cornelious, Sigmund, Frederich, Fredrich, Philbert, Reinhard, Rembert, Robbert, Siegfried, Wilmar, Emmerich, Friedrich, Gustavus, Wilmont, Williom, Fredderick, Regginald, Rodolph, Sigismund
