"hunter, one who hunts"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Wilder
Pronunciation: [ w-EYELD-er ]
Does Wilder flow with your last name?
A rugged frontier name for the wild at heart
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Earthy
Strong
Unique
Adventurous
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"dweller in the wild, untamed land"
Origin: Germanic
Language: German
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The Story of Wilder
Wilder derives from an Old English surname meaning 'hunter' or from the Germanic 'Wilder' describing someone who lived near wild, uncultivated land. As a surname it was carried by notable figures across centuries—Billy Wilder the film director, Laura Ingalls Wilder the author—before crossing into use as a given first name. It channels the American frontier ideal of self-reliance and the Romantic era's celebration of untamed nature.
Wilder has been one of the fastest-rising boys' names in the US, entering the top 200 in the early 2020s. It rides the wave of adventurous, nature-inspired surname-style names (Hunter, Archer, Forrest, River) while having a distinctive literary quality from Oscar Wilde and Billy Wilder. Parents who love both the outdoors and the arts find Wilder perfectly positioned.
The name evokes America's frontier mythology—the wilderness as a space of freedom, self-discovery, and adventure. Laura Ingalls Wilder's 'Little House on the Prairie' series (1932-1943) remains beloved children's literature celebrating pioneer life. Billy Wilder directed some of Hollywood's greatest films. Gene Wilder brought joyful eccentricity to iconic roles.
Historical Record
Wilder first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 7,287 babies have been named Wilder in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Wilder is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #391 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Gene Wilder's portrayal of Willy Wonka (1971) remains one of cinema's most beloved performances
- Laura Ingalls Wilder's 'Little House on the Prairie' books have never been out of print since 1932
Wilder in Other Languages
French
Wilder
German
Wilder
English
Wilder
Spanish
Wilder
Popularity Over Time
#391
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Wilder
G
Gene Wilder
Actor
1933
American actor beloved for Willy Wonka in 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' and roles in Mel Brooks' comedies
B
Billy Wilder
Writer
1906
Austrian-American filmmaker who directed 'Some Like It Hot,' 'Sunset Boulevard,' and 'The Apartment,' winning six Academ...
Austrian-American filmmaker who directed 'Some Like It Hot,' 'Sunset Boulevard,' and 'The Apartment,' winning six Academy Awards
L
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Writer
1867
American author of the 'Little House on the Prairie' book series, chronicling her pioneer childhood on the American fron...
American author of the 'Little House on the Prairie' book series, chronicling her pioneer childhood on the American frontier
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #391
- Total SSA Count
- 830
- Cultural Origins
- American English Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Will
Wilde
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
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
Middle Names
Middle Names for Wilder
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Wilder is also used as a girl name, ranked #3219.
View Wilder as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Wilder
What does the name Wilder mean?
"hunter, one who hunts" (from Old English). "dweller in the wild, untamed land" (from Germanic). Wilder derives from an Old English surname meaning 'hunter' or from the Germanic 'Wilder' describing someone who lived near wild, uncultivated land. As a surname it was carried by notable figures across centuries—Billy Wilder the film director, Laura Ingalls Wilder the author—before crossing into use as a given first name. It channels the American frontier ideal of self-reliance and the Romantic era's celebration of untamed nature.
What is the origin of the name Wilder?
Wilder has Old English, Germanic, American, English, and Australian origins. In Old English, it means "hunter, one who hunts". In Germanic, it means "dweller in the wild, untamed land".
Is Wilder a boy or girl name?
Wilder is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #391. As a girl name, it is ranked #3219. Wilder is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Wilder?
Wilder is pronounced w-EYELD-er.
How popular is the name Wilder?
Wilder is currently ranked #391 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Wilder?
Common nicknames for Wilder include Will and Wilde.
What are good middle names for Wilder?
Popular middle name pairings include Wilder James, Wilder Blue, Wilder River, Wilder Fox, Wilder Thomas, Wilder Everett, and Wilder Grey.
What are good sibling names for Wilder?
Names that pair well with Wilder as siblings include Archer, Hunter, River, Juniper, Sage, Wren, and Forrest.
How many syllables does Wilder have?
Wilder has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Wilder a common or rare name?
Wilder is a popular name, ranked #391 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Wilder
Wilder is a boy name with American, English, and Australian origins . The name means "hunter, one who hunts" in Old English .
Is Wilder a boy or girl name? Wilder is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #391 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #3,219. Wilder is more commonly used as a boy name.
Wilder is currently ranked #391 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Wilder has 2 syllables and is pronounced w-EYELD-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Wilder include Will and Wilde. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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