Wilbur
Wilbur: name meaning, origin and popularity
Meaning and origin of Wilbur
Root meaning: “will”
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
- A stereotypical given name for a pig.
Etymology
From an Old English female given name Wilburg, from wil (“will”) + burh (“fortress”).
How popular is Wilbur?
Since 1880, 290 girls and 56,906 boys in the U.S. have been named Wilbur (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2152 in 1919. Its highest rank for boys was #91 in 1913. In 2025, 27 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Wilbur
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Surname boy names
Sibling name ideas for Wilbur
Sister and brother names that share Wilbur's Surname roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Wilbur FAQ
What does the name Wilbur mean?
Wilbur traces back to a root meaning "will". A male given name transferred from the surname. A stereotypical given name for a pig. From an Old English female given name Wilburg, from wil (“will”) + burh (“fortress”).
What is the origin of the name Wilbur?
Wilbur is listed as a name of Surname (transferred from a surname) origin.
How popular is the name Wilbur?
Since 1880, 290 girls and 56,906 boys in the U.S. have been named Wilbur (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2152 in 1919. Its highest rank for boys was #91 in 1913. In 2025, 27 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Wilbur a boy or girl name?
Wilbur is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 290 girls and 56,906 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.