Wilder

Pronunciation: [ w-EYELD-er ]

Girl Name #3,219 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A bold frontier name for girls who chart their own path

English American German

Bold Modern Earthy Unique Strong

Meaning & Origin

"untamed, wild one"

Origin: English

Language: Old English

"forest dweller"

Origin: German

Language: German

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.

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

Famous People Named Wilder

Gene Wilder

Actor

1933

Beloved American comedic actor famous for Willy Wonka and Blazing Saddles

Billy Wilder

Other

1906

Legendary Hollywood director and screenwriter known for Sunset Boulevard and Some Like It Hot

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Writer

1867

American author of the beloved Little House on the Prairie series about frontier life

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

Pairs Well With

Wilder Rose Wilder June Wilder Grace Wilder Sage Wilder Fern Wilder Lake Wilder Blue

Sibling Names

Fox Clover Bram Wren River Ember Colt

Also a Boy Name

Wilder is also used as a boy name, ranked #391.

View Wilder as a boy name →

Similar Names

Winifred Willa Golda Willow Winslow Meadow Halo Winslow

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Wilder and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Wilder sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name

Browse more girl names →

Explore 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

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.