A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Wilson since 1880
Babies named Wilson per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 660 |
| 1890s | 597 |
| 1900s | 759 |
| 1910s | 6,835 |
| 1920s | 5,022 |
| 1930s | 3,696 |
| 1940s | 4,359 |
| 1950s | 3,383 |
| 1960s | 2,660 |
| 1970s | 2,308 |
| 1980s | 2,862 |
| 1990s | 4,144 |
| 2000s | 4,884 |
| 2010s | 4,238 |
| 2020s | 2,400 |
Meaning & origin
Wilson is a surname-turned-first-name with strong English roots, meaning 'son of Will.' It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1880. The name reached its peak popularity in 1918, ranking 54th, when approximately 1 in 450 boys were named Wilson. After a long decline, it has been rising again since 1985, though it remained relatively uncommon in 2025 at rank 672, with 1 in 4,217 newborns. The name has been most popular in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Idaho. Its straightforward sound and solid patronymic heritage make it a classic choice that feels both familiar and distinctive.
Wilson is an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Will,' a diminutive of William. William itself derives from the Old Norman French 'Williame,' from Germanic 'Wilhelm,' composed of 'wil' (will, desire) and 'helm' (helmet, protection). As a given name, Wilson emerged in the 19th century, particularly in the United States, where it was used to honor family surnames. It saw peak popularity in the early 20th century, ranking 54th in 1918, and has since declined but remains familiar.
Where Wilson 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.
“Wilson” around the world
Where Wilson lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
25
babies in 2024
Quebec
10
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Will, Willie, Willy
Sibling names for Wilson
Names that share Wilson's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Wilson
Names whose popularity has moved with Wilson's over the last 50 years.
