Boy
Wilbur
resolute, brilliant
About Wilbur
Picture a name steeped in nostalgia and gentle charm, reminiscent of simpler times and pastoral landscapes. This classic choice brings to mind warmth, reliability, and good-natured humor. Associated with beloved literary characters and historical figures, it carries cultural weight that newer names lack. The vintage revival trend has brought names like this back into consideration, appreciated for their unpretentious authenticity. Parents selecting this name often value tradition while embracing the quirky appeal of old-fashioned designations. It suits a boy who might be kind-hearted, intelligent, and possess quiet confidence rather than boisterous bravado. The name's soft sounds create an approachable, friendly impression, suggesting someone who forms deep, lasting relationships. Its rarity in contemporary contexts means a modern Wilbur stands out precisely because the name feels refreshingly different from the Matthews and Jacksons filling today's classrooms. The name bridges generations, honoring the past while feeling perfectly at home in the present, offering a boy a solid, dependable identity with character and substance.
Popularity of the Name Wilbur
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | United Kingdom | New Zealand | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | #162 | ||
| 1881 | #153 | ||
| 1882 | #169 | ||
| 1883 | #171 | ||
| 1884 | #173 | ||
| 1885 | #148 | ||
| 1886 | #130 | ||
| 1887 | #119 | ||
| 1888 | #147 | ||
| 1889 | #143 | ||
| 1890 | #150 | ||
| 1891 | #140 | ||
| 1892 | #141 | ||
| 1893 | #144 | ||
| 1894 | #149 | ||
| 1895 | #133 | ||
| 1896 | #138 | ||
| 1897 | #145 | ||
| 1898 | #118 | ||
| 1899 | #140 | ||
| 1900 | #139 | ||
| 1901 | #130 | ||
| 1902 | #120 | ||
| 1903 | #121 | ||
| 1904 | #121 | ||
| 1905 | #132 | ||
| 1906 | #123 | ||
| 1907 | #114 | ||
| 1908 | #110 | ||
| 1909 | #106 | ||
| 1910 | #104 | ||
| 1911 | #101 | ||
| 1912 | #92 | ||
| 1913 | #91 | ||
| 1914 | #96 | ||
| 1915 | #92 | ||
| 1916 | #94 | ||
| 1917 | #92 | ||
| 1918 | #97 | ||
| 1919 | #98 | ||
| 1920 | #98 | ||
| 1921 | #100 | ||
| 1922 | #102 | ||
| 1923 | #105 | ||
| 1924 | #106 | ||
| 1925 | #110 | ||
| 1926 | #122 | ||
| 1927 | #130 | ||
| 1928 | #127 | ||
| 1929 | #131 | ||
| 1930 | #141 | ||
| 1931 | #149 | ||
| 1932 | #152 | ||
| 1933 | #159 | ||
| 1934 | #162 | ||
| 1935 | #166 | ||
| 1936 | #173 | ||
| 1937 | #183 | ||
| 1938 | #173 | ||
| 1939 | #190 | ||
| 1940 | #193 | ||
| 1941 | #204 | ||
| 1942 | #214 | ||
| 1943 | #218 | ||
| 1944 | #232 | ||
| 1945 | #259 | ||
| 1946 | #281 | ||
| 1947 | #283 | ||
| 1948 | #297 | ||
| 1949 | #309 | ||
| 1950 | #308 | ||
| 1951 | #328 | ||
| 1952 | #342 | ||
| 1953 | #334 | ||
| 1954 | #344 | ||
| 1955 | #345 | ||
| 1956 | #368 | ||
| 1957 | #394 | ||
| 1958 | #418 | ||
| 1959 | #423 | ||
| 1960 | #426 | ||
| 1961 | #461 | ||
| 1962 | #452 | ||
| 1963 | #487 | ||
| 1964 | #476 | ||
| 1965 | #485 | ||
| 1966 | #491 | ||
| 1967 | #568 | ||
| 1968 | #567 | ||
| 1969 | #551 | ||
| 1970 | #671 | ||
| 1971 | #599 | ||
| 1972 | #702 | ||
| 1973 | #717 | ||
| 1974 | #731 | ||
| 1975 | #757 | ||
| 1976 | #824 | ||
| 1977 | #829 | ||
| 1978 | #810 | ||
| 1979 | #854 | ||
| 1980 | #919 | ||
| 1981 | #881 | ||
| 1982 | #913 | ||
| 2013 | #800 | ||
| 2014 | #839 | ||
| 2015 | #598 | ||
| 2016 | #604 | ||
| 2017 | #570 | ||
| 2018 | #640 | #473 | |
| 2019 | #466 | ||
| 2020 | #513 | ||
| 2021 | #493 | ||
| 2022 | #562 | #480 | |
| 2023 | #643 | #376 | |
| 2024 | #610 | #485 | |
| 2025 | #608 | #476 |
Top names by country: United States · United Kingdom · New Zealand
Variations of Name Wilbur
Names Similar to Wilbur
Nicknames for Wilbur
- Wil
- Will
- Bur
Famous People Named Wilbur
| Wilbur Wright | One of the Wright brothers, credited with inventing the first successful powered aircraft |
| Wilbur Scoville | American pharmacist known for developing the Scoville Organoleptic Test to measure the spiciness of chili peppers |
| Wilbur Smith | South African novelist famous for his adventure novels |
| Wilbur Mills | American politician who served in the U.S. House of Representatives |
| Wilbur Ross | American investor and former United States Secretary of Commerce |
| Wilbur Wood | Former Major League Baseball pitcher |
| Wilbur Shaw | Three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 |
| Wilbur Daigh Mills | American politician who served as the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee |
| Wilbur Daniel Steele | American author and playwright |
| Wilbur Hardee | Founder of the Hardee's fast-food restaurant chain |
| Wilbur Cooper | Former Major League Baseball pitcher |
| Wilbur R. Franks | Canadian aviation medical researcher |
| Wilbur Hackett | Former American football player |
| Wilbur Jackson | Former American football running back |
| Wilbur Evans | Welsh-American baritone opera singer |
| Wilbur D. May | Philanthropist and museum benefactor |
| Wilbur H. Morrison | American politician and educator |
| Wilbur Steele | American journalist and author |
| Wilbur Snapp | American football player and coach |
| Wilbur Wright, Jr. | Son of Orville Wright, involved in aviation endeavors |
Characters Named Wilbur
| Wilbur the Pig | From E.B. White's classic children's book, "Charlotte's Web" |
| Wilbur Whateley | A character in H.P. Lovecraft's short story "The Dunwich Horror" |
| Wilbur Post | The main character in the TV show "Mr. Ed," who communicates with his talking horse |
| Wilbur Force | A character in the movie "Chicken Run" |
| Wilbur Robinson | A character in the animated film "Meet the Robinsons" |
| Wilbur Grey | A character in the comedy-horror film "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" |
| Wilbur "Wilby" Daniels | The protagonist of Disney's "The Shaggy Dog" |
| Wilbur the Cabbie | A character in the animated film "The Rescuers" |
| Wilbur Mook | A character in the film "Gung Ho" |
| Wilbur the Wisp | A British children's character and television series |
| Wilbur Turnblad | A character in the musical "Hairspray" |
| Wilbur in "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" | A character in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories |
| Wilbur Mercer | A character in Philip K. Dick's "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" |
| Wilbur the Groundhog | A character in the animated film "Over the Hedge" |
| Wilbur Cobb | A character in the film "Midnight Run" |
| Wilbur Pippin | A character in the TV show "MASH" |
| Wilbur Hulzen | A character in the film "Hot Rod" |