Wilder

Pronunciation: [ w-EYELD-er ]

Boy Name #391 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A rugged frontier name for the wild at heart

American English Australian

Bold Earthy Strong Unique Adventurous

Meaning & Origin

"hunter, one who hunts"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

"dweller in the wild, untamed land"

Origin: Germanic

Language: German

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.

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

Famous People Named Wilder

Gene Wilder

Actor

1933

American actor beloved for Willy Wonka in 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' and roles in Mel Brooks' comedies

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

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

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

Pairs Well With

Wilder James Wilder Blue Wilder River Wilder Fox Wilder Thomas Wilder Everett Wilder Grey

Sibling Names

Archer Hunter River Juniper Sage Wren Forrest

Also a Girl Name

Wilder is also used as a girl name, ranked #3219.

View Wilder as a girl name →

Similar Names

Arthur Oscar Arch Porter Spencer Fletcher Houston Wheeler

Playground Safety

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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.