Wilfred
Wilfred is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Desire for peace, or wilful peace.
Origin and history
Wilfred is a traditional English name derived from Old English elements meaning 'will' or 'desire' and 'peace'. It was widely used in medieval England and experienced a revival in the 19th century. In the United States, it enjoyed moderate popularity in the early-to-mid 20th century and remains a rare, vintage choice today.
Popularity in the United States
29,417 babies in the United States have been named Wilfred since 1880. It ranks #687 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1758.
States where it is most popular
- NY (11.6 %)
- MA (10.8 %)
- LA (9.7 %)
- MI (5.4 %)
- CA (4.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 308 |
| 1890-1900 | 510 |
| 1900-1910 | 767 |
| 1910-1920 | 4,976 |
| 1920-1930 | 7,134 |
| 1930-1940 | 4,490 |
| 1940-1950 | 3,263 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,833 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,954 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,063 |
| 1980-1990 | 804 |
| 1990-2000 | 541 |
| 2000-2010 | 343 |
| 2010-2019 | 262 |
| 2020-2029 | 169 |
Famous people named Wilfred
- Wilfred Owen: Poet, Soldier
- Wilfred Laurier: Prime Minister, Politician
Nicknames
Wilf, Fred, Freddie
Fun facts
- The name is composed of the Old English elements 'wil' (will or desire) and 'friþ' (peace).
- Saint Wilfrid of Ripon was a major religious figure in 7th-century Northumbria who helped establish Roman church traditions in England.