Wilder Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: WIL-der /ˈwɪldər/
Origin: English; German
Meaning: English: wild; German: hunter
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Wilder has its roots in the Old English word "wildor," which translates to "wild animal" or "hunter." This term is derived from the Proto-Germanic *wildi- and is related to similar words in other Germanic languages, such as the Old High German "wildar" and the Old Norse "vildr," both carrying connotations of wildness or untamed nature. The name entered the English lexicon as a surname before being adopted as a given name, particularly in the 19th century, reflecting a trend of using surnames as first names in English-speaking cultures.
Historically, the surname Wilder was borne by notable figures, including the American poet and playwright Thornton Wilder, who gained prominence in the early to mid-20th century. His works, such as "Our Town" and "The Skin of Our Teeth," contributed to the cultural landscape of American theater and literature.
The name also appears in various historical records and documents, often associated with individuals in agrarian or frontier contexts, where the qualities of wildness and resilience were highly valued. Culturally, the name Wilder evokes themes of nature, adventure, and exploration, resonating with the romantic ideal of the untamed wilderness.
This connection to the natural world has made the name appealing in various literary and artistic contexts, symbolizing freedom and a connection to the earth. Additionally, diminutive forms like "Wild" have emerged in some contexts, reflecting a playful or affectionate take on the name.
Overall, Wilder carries a rich tapestry of meanings and associations that reflect both its linguistic origins and its historical significance.
Fictional characters named Wilder
The following list of fictional characters named Wilder is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Wilder is a fictional character from the video game series The Legend of Zelda. He is a key figure in the storyline, often associated with the mystical aspects of the game's universe.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Wilder, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Wilder. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Wilder was first seen in the United States in 1914.
Wilder has ranked as high as #616 nationally, which occurred in 2021, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Tennessee, Florida, and North Carolina.
In the past 5 years the name Wilder has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Wilder is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Wilder was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Wilder (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 56 | |
| CA | 55 | |
| NC | 43 | |
| GA | 41 | |
| FL | 39 | |
| TN | 36 | |
| MN | 32 | |
| VA | 30 | |
| MI | 26 | |
| NY | 25 | |
| AL | 24 | |
| PA | 22 | |
| WA | 22 | |
| OK | 21 | |
| OH | 20 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Wilder.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 830 |
| 2023 | 755 |
| 2022 | 866 |
| 2021 | 890 |
| 2020 | 695 |
| 2019 | 601 |
| 2018 | 540 |
| 2017 | 477 |
| 2016 | 338 |
| 2015 | 215 |
| 2014 | 134 |
| 2013 | 127 |
| 2012 | 93 |
| 2011 | 62 |
| 2010 | 65 |
| 2009 | 38 |
| 2008 | 59 |
| 2007 | 56 |
| 2006 | 37 |
| 2005 | 33 |
| 2004 | 45 |
| 2003 | 26 |
| 2002 | 25 |
| 2001 | 28 |
| 2000 | 19 |
| 1999 | 24 |
| 1998 | 20 |
| 1997 | 13 |
| 1996 | 16 |
| 1995 | 13 |
| 1994 | 11 |
| 1993 | 20 |
| 1992 | 14 |
| 1991 | 10 |
| 1990 | 14 |
| 1989 | 13 |
| 1987 | 7 |
| 1985 | 8 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1983 | 6 |
| 1982 | 6 |
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1972 | 5 |
| 1969 | 6 |
| 1952 | 5 |
| 1951 | 6 |
| 1950 | 5 |
| 1946 | 8 |
| 1942 | 7 |
| 1937 | 11 |
| 1936 | 9 |
| 1931 | 6 |
| 1929 | 5 |
| 1928 | 8 |
| 1927 | 6 |
| 1926 | 6 |
| 1925 | 7 |
| 1924 | 7 |
| 1923 | 7 |
| 1922 | 8 |
| 1921 | 12 |
| 1920 | 6 |
| 1919 | 5 |
| 1918 | 10 |
| 1917 | 8 |
| 1916 | 6 |
| 1915 | 9 |
| 1914 | 9 |