Wylie Unisex

Popularity: #763 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: WYE-lee //ˈwaɪli//

Origin: Scottish; English

Meaning: Scottish: crafty; English: from the willow tree

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Wylie has its roots in the Old English word "wīl," meaning "resolute protector" or "will," and is derived from the surname Wylie, which originated as a locational name from various places in Scotland and England. The name is believed to have evolved from the Old Norse name "Vigleikr," which combines elements meaning "battle" and "play," reflecting a warrior-like connotation.

The transition into English occurred through the Norman influence in the 11th century, where it became associated with various geographical locations, particularly in Scotland, where it was used to denote individuals from these areas. Historically, the name Wylie can be traced back to the medieval period, with its usage documented in Scotland as early as the 12th century.

Notable figures include Wylie of the Clan MacGregor, who was mentioned in historical texts concerning Scottish clans and their feuds. The name also appears in various records throughout the centuries, including church documents and land grants, which highlight its significance in Scottish heritage.

The name gained further recognition through literary works and historical accounts, contributing to its enduring presence in the English-speaking world. Culturally, Wylie has been associated with themes of strength and protection, resonating with the values of loyalty and resilience found in many Scottish traditions.

The name has also been linked to various folk tales and legends, enhancing its symbolic weight within Scottish culture. A diminutive form, Wylie, is often used affectionately, maintaining the name's connection to its roots while allowing for a more personal touch.

Overall, Wylie embodies a rich historical narrative, reflecting the linguistic and cultural evolution from its Old English and Norse origins to its place in modern nomenclature.

Famous people named Wylie

In this section, you will find notable people named Wylie. 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 Wylie who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Wylie 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.

Wylie Dufresne is a chef best known for WD-50, molecular gastronomy, and innovative cuisine.

Wylie Gustafson is a musician best known for his work in country music and the song 'Rodeo Song.'.

Wylie Overstreet is a filmmaker best known for his work on the documentary series 'The Great American West.'.

Wylie Wiggins is an actor best known for his role in Dazed and Confused.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Wylie, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

WyattLiamMiloFinnZaneJasper

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Wylie. 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.

RileyKyleCodyTylerKylieMileyClydeDylanNile

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Wylie was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Wylie has ranked as high as #1971 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in Texas, South Carolina, California, Georgia, and North Carolina.

In the past 5 years the name Wylie has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Wylie 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 Wylie was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

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 Wylie.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 240 175 65
2024 228 164 64
2023 165 113 52
2022 182 126 56
2021 199 148 51
2020 128 82 46
2019 133 93 40
2018 139 103 36
2017 154 117 37
2016 124 98 26
2015 104 75 29
2014 109 88 21
2013 95 77 18
2012 100 85 15
2011 83 64 19
2010 85 73 12
2009 85 69 16
2008 95 77 18
2007 73 55 18
2006 83 70 13
2005 59 48 11
2004 54 46 8
2003 57 48 9
2002 57 46 11
2001 55 41 14
2000 55 45 10
1999 58 39 19
1998 49 42 7
1997 34 29 5
1996 40 40 0
1995 28 28 0
1994 30 21 9
1993 40 30 10
1992 29 29 0
1991 25 20 5
1990 28 28 0
1989 20 20 0
1988 30 30 0
1987 30 30 0
1986 25 25 0
1985 22 22 0
1984 29 29 0
1983 23 23 0
1982 15 15 0
1981 23 23 0
1980 34 34 0
1979 21 21 0
1978 26 26 0
1977 31 31 0
1976 17 17 0
1975 35 35 0
1974 23 23 0
1973 26 26 0
1972 39 39 0
1971 49 42 7
1970 32 32 0
1969 27 27 0
1968 27 27 0
1967 29 29 0
1966 44 44 0
1965 32 32 0
1964 22 22 0
1963 38 38 0
1962 31 31 0
1961 37 37 0
1960 30 30 0
1959 33 33 0
1958 27 27 0
1957 36 36 0
1956 47 42 5
1955 47 47 0
1954 32 32 0
1953 44 44 0
1952 39 39 0
1951 39 39 0
1950 46 46 0
1949 37 37 0
1948 44 44 0
1947 55 55 0
1946 39 39 0
1945 51 51 0
1944 49 49 0
1943 51 51 0
1942 48 48 0
1941 57 57 0
1940 50 50 0
1939 50 50 0
1938 54 54 0
1937 51 51 0
1936 62 57 5
1935 61 61 0
1934 51 51 0
1933 38 38 0
1932 59 59 0
1931 51 51 0
1930 56 56 0
1929 63 63 0
1928 40 40 0
1927 52 52 0
1926 47 47 0
1925 55 55 0
1924 76 71 5
1923 56 56 0
1922 53 53 0
1921 49 49 0
1920 63 63 0
1919 61 61 0
1918 56 56 0
1917 51 51 0
1916 50 50 0
1915 53 53 0
1914 40 40 0
1913 34 34 0
1912 25 25 0
1911 19 19 0
1910 17 17 0
1909 22 22 0
1908 19 19 0
1907 11 11 0
1906 6 6 0
1905 16 16 0
1904 8 8 0
1903 7 7 0
1902 10 10 0
1900 17 17 0
1898 14 14 0
1897 12 12 0
1896 13 13 0
1895 18 18 0
1894 14 14 0
1893 9 9 0
1892 7 7 0
1891 5 5 0
1890 9 9 0
1889 11 11 0
1888 13 13 0
1887 15 15 0
1886 13 13 0
1885 13 13 0
1884 10 10 0
1883 10 10 0
1882 8 8 0
1881 10 10 0
1880 12 12 0

Top States for Wylie (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 22
20%
CA 14
13%
FL 13
12%
GA 10
9%
OK 10
9%
TN 8
7%
OH 8
7%
NC 7
6%
SC 6
6%
IL 5
5%
KY 5
5%