Wilfred
Wilfred: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈwɪlfɹɪd/
Meaning and origin of Wilfred
Root meaning: “will”
- A male given name from Old English, popular in the U.K. in the early twentieth century.
Etymology
The name of two early Anglo-Saxon saints Wilfriþ, from Old English wil (“will”) + friþ (“peace”).
How popular is Wilfred?
Since 1880, 103 girls and 29,417 boys in the U.S. have been named Wilfred (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2682 in 1915. Its highest rank for boys was #164 in 1917. In 2025, 29 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Wilfred
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More English boy names
Sibling name ideas for Wilfred
Sister and brother names that share Wilfred's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Wilfred FAQ
What does the name Wilfred mean?
Wilfred traces back to a root meaning "will". A male given name from Old English, popular in the U.K. in the early twentieth century. The name of two early Anglo-Saxon saints Wilfriþ, from Old English wil (“will”) + friþ (“peace”).
What is the origin of the name Wilfred?
Wilfred is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name Wilfred?
Since 1880, 103 girls and 29,417 boys in the U.S. have been named Wilfred (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2682 in 1915. Its highest rank for boys was #164 in 1917. In 2025, 29 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Wilfred a boy or girl name?
Wilfred is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 103 girls and 29,417 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.