A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Wylie since 1880
Babies named Wylie per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2025, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Wylie's real moment was 1895.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 115 |
| 1890s | 0 | 101 |
| 1900s | 0 | 116 |
| 1910s | 0 | 406 |
| 1920s | 5 | 549 |
| 1930s | 5 | 528 |
| 1940s | 0 | 481 |
| 1950s | 5 | 385 |
| 1960s | 0 | 317 |
| 1970s | 7 | 292 |
| 1980s | 0 | 251 |
| 1990s | 55 | 306 |
| 2000s | 128 | 545 |
| 2010s | 253 | 873 |
| 2020s | 334 | 808 |
Meaning & origin
Wylie is a name with a distinctly Scottish heritage, first appearing in U.S. birth records in 1880. Its peak year of popularity was 1895, and after a long decline it has been on a rising trajectory since 1990, reflecting a broader revival of vintage names. In 2025, the name ranked 1176 with an incidence of 1 in 9,760 newborns. While most popular in Montana, Oklahoma, and Kentucky, Wylie remains a rare but steady choice. Its etymology is uncertain but likely tied to the Scottish surname, offering a sense of place and history without overwhelming popularity.
Wylie is a Scottish surname of uncertain derivation. It may originate from the Scottish place name Wylie in Lanarkshire, or as an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Uilleagóid. In other cases, it is considered a variant of Wiley, which itself derives from the Old English 'wīglīċ' meaning 'crafty, wise'. The name has been used as a given name since the 19th century, particularly in the United States where it was recorded as early as 1880.
Where Wylie 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Wye, Lee
Sibling names for Wylie
Names that share Wylie's style, for a brother or sister.
