Wilkins Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: WIL-kins /ˈwɪlkɪnz/
Origin: English; Old German
Meaning: Son of Wilkin; little William
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Wilkins is of English origin, derived from the medieval given name Wilkin, which itself is a diminutive form of William. The name William comes from the Old High German "Willahelm," composed of the elements "willa," meaning "will" or "desire," and "helm," meaning "helmet" or "protection." The name was introduced to England by the Normans after the Conquest of 1066, where it evolved through various forms, including the Old French "Guillaume." Over time, Wilkin emerged as a common diminutive, particularly in the Middle Ages, leading to the surname Wilkins, which denotes "son of Wilkin." Historically, the name Wilkins has notable associations, particularly in England.
The surname appears in various historical records, including the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is linked to landholders and local gentry. The name also appears in the context of notable figures such as the 17th-century poet and playwright John Wilkins, who was a member of the Royal Society and contributed to the intellectual life of his time.
Additionally, the name is found in ecclesiastical contexts, with several saints and bishops bearing variations of the name William, further solidifying its significance in Christian tradition. Culturally, the name Wilkins has resonated through literature and folklore, often symbolizing strength and protection due to its roots in the meanings of its components.
The diminutive form, Wilkie, has also been used historically, reflecting a familiar or affectionate version of the name. The endurance of Wilkins in various forms across centuries highlights its adaptability and the cultural importance placed on names that convey familial connections and heritage.
Famous people named Wilkins
In this section, you will find notable people named Wilkins. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Wilkins who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Wilkins who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Wilkins Micawber is a fictional character in Charles Dickens' novel David Copperfield, known for his optimistic outlook despite financial struggles.
Fictional characters named Wilkins
The following list of fictional characters named Wilkins 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.
Wilkins is a fictional character from the animated television series The Amazing World of Gumball. He is a minor character who serves as a student at Elmore Junior High and is known for his quirky personality.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Wilkins, 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 Wilkins. 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 Wilkins was first seen in the United States in 1913.
Wilkins has ranked as high as #1213 nationally, which occurred in 1991, and has been most popular in New York.
In the past 5 years the name Wilkins has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Wilkins 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 Wilkins was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Wilkins (1991)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 5 |
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 Wilkins.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 1998 | 6 |
| 1996 | 12 |
| 1995 | 10 |
| 1993 | 6 |
| 1991 | 14 |
| 1990 | 9 |
| 1989 | 9 |
| 1987 | 7 |
| 1986 | 6 |
| 1984 | 7 |
| 1982 | 12 |
| 1981 | 6 |
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1978 | 7 |
| 1977 | 5 |
| 1974 | 5 |
| 1961 | 5 |
| 1950 | 5 |
| 1947 | 5 |
| 1937 | 5 |
| 1934 | 5 |
| 1932 | 5 |
| 1927 | 6 |
| 1924 | 5 |
| 1923 | 6 |
| 1921 | 5 |
| 1920 | 9 |
| 1918 | 6 |
| 1914 | 6 |
| 1913 | 5 |