Holding steady.
Popularity of Wilhelmine since 1880
Babies named Wilhelmine per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1896, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Wilhelmine's real moment was 1884.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 87 |
| 1890s | 135 |
| 1900s | 72 |
| 1910s | 143 |
| 1920s | 65 |
| 1930s | 17 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 6 |
Meaning & origin
Wilhelmine is a classic feminine name of German origin that has seen limited usage in the United States. It peaked in popularity in 1884, when it ranked 437th for newborn girls, but by the 1960s it had fallen below the top 1,000. The name has remained stable in its rarity ever since, with fewer than five new registrations per year in recent decades. Wilhelmine is far more common in its shortened forms, especially Mina and Wilma. The name carries a strong sense of vintage European elegance and is often chosen by families with German heritage or an appreciation for 19th-century naming traditions.
Wilhelmine is the feminine form of Wilhelm (William), derived from Old High German 'willo' (will, desire) and 'helm' (helmet, protection). It was particularly popular in German-speaking countries from the 18th through early 20th centuries, often used among nobility. The name spread across Europe through royal connections, with variants such as Wilhelmina in Dutch and English contexts.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mina, Minna, Wilma, Willa, Helmine
Variants: Wilhelmina, Minna, Wilma
Sibling names for Wilhelmine
Names that share Wilhelmine's style, for a brother or sister.
