"desiring peace, will and peace"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Wilfred
Pronunciation: [ w-IHLFR-ihd ]
Does Wilfred flow with your last name?
A Victorian gem: the poet of peace reborn
English
American
Scandinavian
German
Vintage
Classic
Literary
Sophisticated
Traditional
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Wilfred
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Wilfred
4 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"peaceful will"
Origin: Germanic (Wilfrid)
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Wilfred
See all →What the Wilfred report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Wilfred the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Wilfred
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Wilfred head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Wilfred actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Wilfred
Wilfred combines two Old English elements: 'wil' (will, desire) and 'frid' or 'fred' (peace). Together the name means 'he who desires peace' or 'will-peace.' It was borne by Saint Wilfrid of York (634-709 AD), one of the most influential churchmen in early English Christianity, who helped bring the Roman church's practices to Northumbria. The name flourished in medieval England and has been quietly reviving as a Victorian-era gem.
Wilfred was extremely popular in Victorian and Edwardian England, then declined through the 20th century. It has been quietly rising as parents rediscover old-fashioned names with substance. The trend toward vintage names like Theodore, Arthur, and Clarence has brought Wilfred back into consideration.
Wilfred Owen (1893-1918) is one of the most celebrated poets of World War I, whose works like 'Dulce et Decorum Est' are studied in schools worldwide. His name has given Wilfred a literary, deeply humane connotation. Saint Wilfrid of York was a pivotal figure in the Synod of Whitby (664 AD), which determined the direction of English Christianity.
Historical Record
Wilfred first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 7,941 babies have been named Wilfred in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Wilfred is past its peak , currently ranked #5,034 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Wilfred Owen's poem 'Dulce et Decorum Est' (1917) is one of the most anthologized poems in the English language
- Saint Wilfrid of York was present at the Synod of Whitby in 664 AD, which determined that English Christianity would follow Roman rather than Celtic practices
- Wilfred was a top-50 name in England from 1900-1940 before its decline
Wilfred in Other Languages
Latin
Wilfriedus
French
Wilfrid
German
Wilfried
Italian
Wilfredo
Spanish
Wilfredo
Old English
Wilfrið
Popularity Over Time
#5,034
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Wilfred
W
Wilfred Brimley
Actor
1934
American actor known for Cocoon (1985), The Natural (1984), and as the Quaker Oats spokesman
W
Wilfred Owen
Writer
1893
British World War I poet whose works including 'Dulce et Decorum Est' and 'Anthem for Doomed Youth' are studied worldwid...
British World War I poet whose works including 'Dulce et Decorum Est' and 'Anthem for Doomed Youth' are studied worldwide
W
Wilfrid (Saint)
Religious
634
Bishop of York and one of the most influential churchmen of early English Christianity, present at the Synod of Whitby
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Kairyn
Boy
"variant of Karen or Karin"
#5,185
Rawlings
Boy
"counsel wolf"
#5,147
Keiler
Boy
"wild boar hunter"
#4,930
Maxen
Boy
"the greatest one, supreme ruler"
#5,183
Vivan
Boy
"alive, full of life"
#4,896
Compare Wilfred with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,034
- Total SSA Count
- 20
- Cultural Origins
- English American Scandinavian German
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Will
Wil
Fred
Freddie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Wilfred
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Wilfred fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Wilfred is also used as a girl name, ranked #70221.
View Wilfred as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Wilfred →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Wilfred with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Wilfred
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Wilfred and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Wilfred sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Kairyn
Boy
Scandinavian origin
"variant of Karen or Karin"
#5,185 in US
Rawlings
Boy
Old Norse via Norman origin
"counsel wolf"
#5,147 in US
Keiler
Boy
German origin
"wild boar hunter"
#4,930 in US
Maxen
Boy
Welsh origin
"the greatest one, supreme ruler"
#5,183 in US
Vivan
Boy
Latin (Vivianus) origin
"alive, full of life"
#4,896 in US
Vann
Boy
Dutch origin
"From; of the fen or marshland"
#5,118 in US
Juda
Boy
Hebrew origin
"praised, he will be praised"
#5,168 in US
Kailon
Boy
Modern American origin
"victorious people (via Kai + Nicholas..."
#5,041 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Wilfred's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wilfred
What does the name Wilfred mean?
"desiring peace, will and peace" (from Old English). "peaceful will" (from Germanic (Wilfrid)). Wilfred combines two Old English elements: 'wil' (will, desire) and 'frid' or 'fred' (peace). Together the name means 'he who desires peace' or 'will-peace.' It was borne by Saint Wilfrid of York (634-709 AD), one of the most influential churchmen in early English Christianity, who helped bring the Roman church's practices to Northumbria. The name flourished in medieval England and has been quietly reviving as a Victorian-era gem.
What is the origin of the name Wilfred?
Wilfred has Old English, Germanic (Wilfrid), English, American, Scandinavian, and German origins. In Old English, it means "desiring peace, will and peace". In Germanic (Wilfrid), it means "peaceful will".
Is Wilfred a boy or girl name?
Wilfred is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #5034. As a girl name, it is ranked #70221. Wilfred is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Wilfred?
Wilfred is pronounced w-IHLFR-ihd.
How popular is the name Wilfred?
Wilfred is currently ranked #5034 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Wilfred?
Common nicknames for Wilfred include Will, Wil, Fred, and Freddie.
What are good middle names for Wilfred?
Popular middle name pairings include Wilfred James, Wilfred Henry, Wilfred Arthur, Wilfred Thomas, Wilfred Edward, and Wilfred George.
What are good sibling names for Wilfred?
Names that pair well with Wilfred as siblings include Edmund, Beatrice, Reginald, Agatha, Clarence, and Millicent.
How many syllables does Wilfred have?
Wilfred has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Wilfred a common or rare name?
Wilfred is an uncommon name, ranked #5034 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Wilfred?
Are there other spellings for Wilfred?
Related spellings include Wilfredo.
About the Name Wilfred
Wilfred is a boy name with English, American, Scandinavian, and German origins . The name means "desiring peace, will and peace" in Old English .
Is Wilfred a boy or girl name? Wilfred is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #5,034 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #70,221. Wilfred is more commonly used as a boy name.
Wilfred is currently ranked #5,034 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Wilfred has 2 syllables and is pronounced w-IHLFR-ihd, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Wilfred include Will, Wil, Fred, and Freddie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Wilfred include Wilfredo . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Old English Names
Browse all names with this origin
W
Names Starting with W
More boy names like Wilfred
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis