Wilmer Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: WIL-mer //ˈwɪlmər//
Origin: German; English
Meaning: German: resolute; English: will
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Wilmer has its roots in Old High German, derived from the elements "wil" meaning "will" or "desire" and "meri" meaning "famous" or "renowned." This etymological foundation suggests a meaning akin to "resolute protector" or "famous will." The name made its way into English through the influence of the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, where it was adapted from the Germanic forms into the Old French variant, which subsequently entered Middle English. The transition reflects a broader pattern of linguistic exchange during this period, as many Germanic names were assimilated into the English lexicon through various cultural interactions and the establishment of Norman rule in England.
Historically, the name Wilmer is not prominently featured in major historical texts or figures, but it shares a lineage with other names of Germanic origin that became more common in medieval Europe. The name's presence can be traced through various records in the Middle Ages, where it was occasionally used among the nobility and common folk alike.
While it does not have a specific biblical or saintly association, its components reflect the values of strength and renown that were highly regarded in Germanic culture. Culturally, names like Wilmer resonate with themes of valor and legacy, which have contributed to their endurance over centuries.
The name may also be linked to various diminutive forms, such as Wil or Willy, which have been used affectionately or informally in different cultures. Overall, Wilmer encapsulates a blend of historical significance and cultural resonance, embodying the qualities of determination and fame that were celebrated in its original linguistic context.
Famous people named Wilmer
In this section, you will find notable people named Wilmer. 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 Wilmer who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Wilmer 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.
Wilmer Valderrama is an actor and producer best known for That '70s Show, NCIS, and The Ranch.
Wilmer McLean is known for being the owner of the house where the Civil War ended with the surrender of General Lee.
Fictional characters named Wilmer
The following list of fictional characters named Wilmer 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.
Wilmer Valderrama is a fictional character from the TV series That '70s Show. He is a charismatic and often humorous member of the group of friends in the show, known for his catchphrases and relationships with other characters.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Wilmer, 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 Wilmer. 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 Wilmer was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Wilmer has ranked as high as #517 nationally, which occurred in 1920, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, Texas, Louisiana, Virginia, and Alabama.
In the past 5 years the name Wilmer has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Wilmer 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 Wilmer was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Wilmer (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 | 9 | |
| CA | 9 | |
| NY | 8 | |
| FL | 7 | |
| NC | 5 | |
| PA | 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 Wilmer.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 88 |
| 2023 | 115 |
| 2022 | 109 |
| 2021 | 106 |
| 2020 | 76 |
| 2019 | 95 |
| 2018 | 96 |
| 2017 | 82 |
| 2016 | 108 |
| 2015 | 103 |
| 2014 | 99 |
| 2013 | 88 |
| 2012 | 94 |
| 2011 | 108 |
| 2010 | 124 |
| 2009 | 135 |
| 2008 | 120 |
| 2007 | 175 |
| 2006 | 149 |
| 2005 | 137 |
| 2004 | 116 |
| 2003 | 100 |
| 2002 | 101 |
| 2001 | 113 |
| 2000 | 95 |
| 1999 | 79 |
| 1998 | 66 |
| 1997 | 72 |
| 1996 | 62 |
| 1995 | 62 |
| 1994 | 55 |
| 1993 | 65 |
| 1992 | 74 |
| 1991 | 50 |
| 1990 | 50 |
| 1989 | 51 |
| 1988 | 50 |
| 1987 | 60 |
| 1986 | 42 |
| 1985 | 46 |
| 1984 | 34 |
| 1983 | 29 |
| 1982 | 34 |
| 1981 | 30 |
| 1980 | 31 |
| 1979 | 36 |
| 1978 | 29 |
| 1977 | 29 |
| 1976 | 34 |
| 1975 | 36 |
| 1974 | 32 |
| 1973 | 40 |
| 1972 | 35 |
| 1971 | 46 |
| 1970 | 48 |
| 1969 | 52 |
| 1968 | 53 |
| 1967 | 52 |
| 1966 | 54 |
| 1965 | 47 |
| 1964 | 68 |
| 1963 | 63 |
| 1962 | 62 |
| 1961 | 79 |
| 1960 | 71 |
| 1959 | 79 |
| 1958 | 71 |
| 1957 | 87 |
| 1956 | 79 |
| 1955 | 105 |
| 1954 | 83 |
| 1953 | 95 |
| 1952 | 112 |
| 1951 | 108 |
| 1950 | 93 |
| 1949 | 119 |
| 1948 | 137 |
| 1947 | 148 |
| 1946 | 125 |
| 1945 | 115 |
| 1944 | 147 |
| 1943 | 189 |
| 1942 | 146 |
| 1941 | 169 |
| 1940 | 158 |
| 1939 | 156 |
| 1938 | 177 |
| 1937 | 181 |
| 1936 | 184 |
| 1935 | 194 |
| 1934 | 197 |
| 1933 | 207 |
| 1932 | 248 |
| 1931 | 264 |
| 1930 | 265 |
| 1929 | 270 |
| 1928 | 298 |
| 1927 | 337 |
| 1926 | 312 |
| 1925 | 356 |
| 1924 | 365 |
| 1923 | 351 |
| 1922 | 368 |
| 1921 | 425 |
| 1920 | 443 |
| 1919 | 333 |
| 1918 | 344 |
| 1917 | 342 |
| 1916 | 343 |
| 1915 | 352 |
| 1914 | 255 |
| 1913 | 197 |
| 1912 | 134 |
| 1911 | 78 |
| 1910 | 56 |
| 1909 | 45 |
| 1908 | 43 |
| 1907 | 40 |
| 1906 | 37 |
| 1905 | 37 |
| 1904 | 37 |
| 1903 | 36 |
| 1902 | 25 |
| 1901 | 22 |
| 1900 | 43 |
| 1899 | 15 |
| 1898 | 26 |
| 1897 | 15 |
| 1896 | 22 |
| 1895 | 27 |
| 1894 | 23 |
| 1893 | 28 |
| 1892 | 28 |
| 1891 | 19 |
| 1890 | 15 |
| 1889 | 14 |
| 1888 | 16 |
| 1887 | 15 |
| 1886 | 19 |
| 1885 | 16 |
| 1884 | 18 |
| 1883 | 15 |
| 1882 | 20 |
| 1881 | 11 |
| 1880 | 19 |