"from the Wylye River"
Wylie
Pronunciation: [ w-EYEL-ee ]
A river's name and a fox's cleverness — wild and wonderful
Meaning & Origin
The Story of Wylie
Wylie is an Old English surname derived from the River Wylye in Wiltshire, England — a name meaning tricky river or possibly from the Old English wilig, related to willows. As a given name, it began as a masculine surname-as-forename but has shifted in the 21st century toward becoming a fresh choice for girls. The Wile E. Coyote association (Looney Tunes) gives it a playful, clever undertone.
Wylie is part of the surge in surname-style names for girls — alongside Riley, Remy, and Sloane — that began in the 2010s. The W-opening gives it a distinctive edge among the Riley/Kylie crowd.
The River Wylye in Wiltshire flows through an ancient English landscape; the county of Wiltshire may take its name from the river. The surname Wylie was common in Scotland and Northern Ireland, carried by many emigrants to America.
Fun Facts
- The River Wylye in Wiltshire, England may give its name to the entire county — Wiltshire literally means 'Wylye-shire'
- The Looney Tunes character Wile E. Coyote (a playful near-homophone) has made the name synonymous with clever, persistent resourcefulness
Wylie in Other Languages
Famous People Named Wylie
Wylie Dufresne
Other
Pioneering American chef and molecular gastronomy innovator, known for his avant-garde New York restaurant wd~50
Wile E. Coyote Fictional
Other
The persistently inventive cartoon coyote from Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies, forever chasing the Road Runner
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,723
- Total SSA Count
- 63
- Cultural Origins
- American Scottish English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Wylie is also used as a boy name, ranked #1233.
View Wylie as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Wylie
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About the Name Wylie
Wylie is a girl name with American, Scottish, and English origins . The name means "from the Wylye River" in Old English .
Is Wylie a boy or girl name? Wylie is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,723 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #1,233. Wylie is more commonly used as a boy name.
Wylie is currently ranked #2,723 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Wylie has 2 syllables and is pronounced w-EYEL-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Wylie include Wy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.