Wilbur

Pronunciation: [ w-IHLB-er ]

Boy Name #2,964 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A vintage gem shared by an aviation pioneer and a beloved pig

American English

Vintage Literary Classic

Meaning & Origin

"resolute fortress, determined will"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

The Story of Wilbur

Wilbur comes from the Old English name Wilburh, from 'wil' (will, desire) and 'burh' (fortress, stronghold), meaning 'resolute fortress' or 'determined protector.' It was also influenced by the Germanic 'Wilbrecht' (brilliant, shining resolve). The name reached peak popularity in early 20th century America, carried by Wilbur Wright, one of aviation's founding pioneers.

Wilbur has been on a revival journey as grandpa-chic names have come back into fashion. The beloved pig Wilbur in Charlotte's Web (1952) gives the name a warm, cherished literary legacy that modern parents appreciate alongside the aviation history connection.

Wilbur Wright and his brother Orville achieved the first successful powered airplane flight in 1903, making Wilbur a name associated with American ingenuity and the dawn of the aviation age. E.B. White's Wilbur the pig in Charlotte's Web has become one of children's literature's most beloved characters.

Fun Facts

Wilbur Wright made the first successful powered airplane flight with brother Orville on December 17, 1903 at Kitty Hawk
Wilbur the pig in Charlotte's Web is one of children's literature's most beloved characters — saved by a spider's web

Wilbur in Other Languages

German Wilbrecht

English Wilbur

Famous People Named Wilbur

Wilbur Wright

Engineer

1867

American aviation pioneer who, with brother Orville, achieved the first successful powered airplane flight in 1903

Wilbur (Charlotte's Web) Fictional

Other

The lovable pig protagonist of E.B. White's classic children's novel Charlotte's Web (1952), saved by the spider Charlot...

The lovable pig protagonist of E.B. White's classic children's novel Charlotte's Web (1952), saved by the spider Charlotte

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #2,964
Total SSA Count: 42
Cultural Origins: American English
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Wilber #4254

Common Nicknames

Will Wil Bur

Pairs Well With

Wilbur James Wilbur Henry Wilbur Lee Wilbur Scott Wilbur August Wilbur Owen

Sibling Names

Harriet Maude Otto Mabel Cecil Edith

Also a Girl Name

Wilbur is also used as a girl name, ranked #70065.

View Wilbur as a girl name →

Similar Names

Wallace Porter Wilmer Warner

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Wilbur

What does the name Wilbur mean?

"resolute fortress, determined will" (from Old English). Wilbur comes from the Old English name Wilburh, from 'wil' (will, desire) and 'burh' (fortress, stronghold), meaning 'resolute fortress' or 'determined protector.' It was also influenced by the Germanic 'Wilbrecht' (brilliant, shining resolve). The name reached peak popularity in early 20th century America, carried by Wilbur Wright, one of aviation's founding pioneers.

What is the origin of the name Wilbur?

Wilbur has Old English, American, and English origins. In Old English, it means "resolute fortress, determined will".

Is Wilbur a boy or girl name?

Wilbur is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2964. As a girl name, it is ranked #70065. Wilbur is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Wilbur?

Wilbur is pronounced w-IHLB-er.

How popular is the name Wilbur?

Wilbur is currently ranked #2964 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Wilbur?

Common nicknames for Wilbur include Will, Wil, and Bur.

What are good middle names for Wilbur?

Popular middle name pairings include Wilbur James, Wilbur Henry, Wilbur Lee, Wilbur Scott, Wilbur August, and Wilbur Owen.

What are good sibling names for Wilbur?

Names that pair well with Wilbur as siblings include Harriet, Maude, Otto, Mabel, Cecil, and Edith.

How many syllables does Wilbur have?

Wilbur has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Wilbur a common or rare name?

Wilbur is an uncommon name, ranked #2964 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Wilbur

Wilbur is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "resolute fortress, determined will" in Old English .

Is Wilbur a boy or girl name? Wilbur is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,964 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #70,065. Wilbur is more commonly used as a boy name.

Wilbur is currently ranked #2,964 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Wilbur has 2 syllables and is pronounced w-IHLB-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Wilbur include Will, Wil, and Bur. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Wilbur include Wilber . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.