"untamed, wild one"
Origin: English
Language: Old English
Wilder
Pronunciation: [ w-EYELD-er ]
Does Wilder flow with your last name?
A bold frontier name for girls who chart their own path
English
American
German
Bold
Modern
Earthy
Unique
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Wilder
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"forest dweller"
Origin: German
Language: German
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The Story of Wilder
Wilder comes from the Old English wilde meaning wild, untamed, or fierce, combined with the comparative suffix -er. It began as an English surname and was notably carried by the Wilder family of American frontier fame. As a given name it surged in the 2010s as part of the nature-meets-surname trend, giving girls a bold, adventurous identity.
Wilder has been rising steadily for girls since around 2015, driven by the trend of giving girls traditionally masculine or surname-style names. Its association with Laura Ingalls Wilder and Gene Wilder gives it both pioneer spirit and artistic credibility.
Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved Little House on the Prairie series has kept this surname in the American consciousness for generations. Gene Wilder's career gave it a comedic, creative association. For girls, Wilder signals a free-spirited, nonconformist identity.
Historical Record
Wilder first appeared in US Social Security records in 2008.
Over 574 babies have been named Wilder in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Wilder is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #3,219 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote the beloved Little House on the Prairie series
- Gene Wilder starred in Willy Wonka and Young Frankenstein
- Wilder entered the US top 1000 for girls in 2015 and has climbed steadily since
Wilder in Other Languages
Dutch
Wilder
French
Wilder
German
Wilder
Spanish
Wilder
Swedish
Wilder
Popularity Over Time
#3,219
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Compare Wilder with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,219
- Total SSA Count
- 49
- Cultural Origins
- English American German
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Wil
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, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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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 Boy Name
Wilder is also used as a boy name, ranked #391.
View Wilder as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Kodie
Girl
Irish Gaelic origin
"descendant of the helpful one"
#3,190 in US
Lillia
Girl
Latin origin
"lily flower"
#3,117 in US
Talayah
Girl
Aramaic origin
"blooming, flourishing"
#3,143 in US
Savanah
Girl
Taino/Spanish origin
"treeless plain, grassy flatlands"
#3,387 in US
Eleonor
Girl
Old French Alienor origin
"other Aenor, honor"
#3,174 in US
Jodi
Girl
Hebrew origin
"woman from Judea"
#3,257 in US
Taniyah
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Latin/Roman origin
"of the Tatian family"
#3,108 in US
Brandy
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Dutch (brandewijn) origin
"burnt wine (the spirit)"
#3,258 in US
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Frequently Asked Questions About Wilder
What does the name Wilder mean?
"untamed, wild one" (from English). "forest dweller" (from German). Wilder comes from the Old English wilde meaning wild, untamed, or fierce, combined with the comparative suffix -er. It began as an English surname and was notably carried by the Wilder family of American frontier fame. As a given name it surged in the 2010s as part of the nature-meets-surname trend, giving girls a bold, adventurous identity.
What is the origin of the name Wilder?
Wilder has English, German, and American origins. In English, it means "untamed, wild one". In German, it means "forest dweller".
Is Wilder a boy or girl name?
Wilder is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3219. As a boy name, it is ranked #391. 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 #3219 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Wilder?
Common nicknames for Wilder include Wil and Wilde.
What are good middle names for Wilder?
Popular middle name pairings include Wilder Rose, Wilder June, Wilder Grace, Wilder Sage, Wilder Fern, Wilder Lake, and Wilder Blue.
What are good sibling names for Wilder?
Names that pair well with Wilder as siblings include Fox, Clover, Bram, Wren, River, Ember, and Colt.
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 an uncommon name, ranked #3219 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Wilder
Wilder is a girl name with English, American, and German origins . The name means "untamed, wild one" in English .
Is Wilder a boy or girl name? Wilder is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3,219 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #391. Wilder is more commonly used as a boy name.
Wilder is currently ranked #3,219 in popularity for girl 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 Wil 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