Wilson

Pronunciation: [ w-IHLS-uhn ]

Boy Name #645 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A presidential surname making a strong comeback as a first name

English American

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Meaning & Origin

"son of Will (William)"

Origin: Middle English patronymic

Language: English

"resolute protector's son"

Origin: Old Germanic (via William)

Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

Wilson is strongly associated with the volleyball from the 2000 film Cast Away—a lovable but unusual cultural reference

The Story of Wilson

Wilson is an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Will' or 'son of William', where William comes from the Old High German 'Willahelm' meaning 'will' and 'helmet'—a name meaning 'resolute protector'. Wilson became one of the most common English surnames in the 19th century and began crossing into use as a first name in the United States, following the American tradition of using presidential and historical surnames as given names.

Wilson has been gaining momentum as a first name in the US since around 2015, part of the broader trend of distinguished English surnames becoming boys' first names (alongside Harrison, Fletcher, and Beckett). President Woodrow Wilson's name brings gravitas, while the volleyball from Cast Away provides an endearing pop culture touchstone.

Two US presidents named Wilson (Woodrow Wilson, 28th, and the lesser-known first name of many others) give this name presidential weight. In music, The Beach Boys' Wilson brothers (Brian, Carl, Dennis) represent California creativity and musical genius.

Fun Facts

Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President and led the US through World War I
Wilson the volleyball from Cast Away (2000) became one of cinema's most unlikely beloved characters
The Beach Boys consisted of the three Wilson brothers (Brian, Carl, Dennis) and their cousins

Wilson in Other Languages

German Wilsonson

Spanish Wilson (used as-is in Latin America)

Famous People Named Wilson

Owen Wilson

Actor

1968

American actor and comedian known for Wedding Crashers, Marley & Me, and the Loki character Mobius

Woodrow Wilson

Politician

1856

28th President of the United States, led the country through World War I and proposed the League of Nations

Wilson Fictional

Other

The volleyball that becomes Tom Hanks' companion in Cast Away (2000)—one of cinema's most unlikely characters

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #645
Total SSA Count: 431
Cultural Origins: English American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Will Wil

Pairs Well With

Wilson James Wilson Lee Wilson Gray Wilson Cole Wilson Scott Wilson Hayes

Sibling Names

Harrison Emerson Waverly Fletcher Adelaide Beckett

Also a Girl Name

Wilson is also used as a girl name, ranked #28710.

View Wilson as a girl name →

Similar Names

Willis Willard Preston Vincent Wyatt Alton West Watson

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Wilson

What does the name Wilson mean?

"son of Will (William)" (from Middle English patronymic). "resolute protector's son" (from Old Germanic (via William)). Wilson is an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Will' or 'son of William', where William comes from the Old High German 'Willahelm' meaning 'will' and 'helmet'—a name meaning 'resolute protector'. Wilson became one of the most common English surnames in the 19th century and began crossing into use as a first name in the United States, following the American tradition of using presidential and historical surnames as given names.

What is the origin of the name Wilson?

Wilson has Middle English patronymic, Old Germanic (via William), English, and American origins. In Middle English patronymic, it means "son of Will (William)". In Old Germanic (via William), it means "resolute protector's son".

Is Wilson a boy or girl name?

Wilson is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #645. As a girl name, it is ranked #28710. Wilson is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Wilson?

Wilson is pronounced w-IHLS-uhn.

How popular is the name Wilson?

Wilson is currently ranked #645 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Wilson?

Common nicknames for Wilson include Will and Wil.

What are good middle names for Wilson?

Popular middle name pairings include Wilson James, Wilson Lee, Wilson Gray, Wilson Cole, Wilson Scott, and Wilson Hayes.

What are good sibling names for Wilson?

Names that pair well with Wilson as siblings include Harrison, Emerson, Waverly, Fletcher, Adelaide, and Beckett.

How many syllables does Wilson have?

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

Is Wilson a common or rare name?

Wilson is moderately common, ranked #645 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Wilson

Wilson is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "son of Will (William)" in Middle English patronymic .

Is Wilson a boy or girl name? Wilson is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #645 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #28,710. Wilson is more commonly used as a boy name.

Wilson is currently ranked #645 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Wilson has 2 syllables and is pronounced w-IHLS-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

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