An uncommon Old English pick — distinctive and rare.
A surname originating as a matronymic.
Wilbur is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, derived from the elements wil (will, desire) and beorht (bright), meaning 'bright will' or 'resolute brilliance.' With over 56,000 U.S. births, it was a staple of early 20th-century America.
Two iconic Wilburs define the name: Wilbur Wright, who with his brother Orville achieved the first powered flight in 1903, and Wilbur the pig from E.B. White's beloved novel Charlotte's Web.
Wilbur climbed 644 spots in the last 20 years — from #3630 to #2986.
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 151 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 251 | — |
| 2000s | 259 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 433 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 783 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 1,274 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 2,571 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 4,133 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 5,962 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 9,044 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 15,713 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 12,411 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 1,839 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 1,142 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 914 | — |
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 42 | #2986 |
| 2023 | 33 | #3553 |
| 2022 | 30 | #3767 |
| 2021 | 25 | #4232 |
| 2020 | 21 | #4688 |
| 2019 | 37 | #3191 |
| 2018 | 28 | #3882 |
| 2017 | 28 | #3883 |
| 2016 | 25 | #4192 |
| 2015 | 30 | #3677 |
| 2014 | 23 | #4382 |
| 2013 | 22 | #4456 |
| 2012 | 15 | #5977 |
| 2011 | 21 | #4646 |
| 2010 | 22 | #4512 |
| 2009 | 24 | #4269 |
| 2008 | 24 | #4262 |
| 2007 | 28 | #3790 |
| 2006 | 24 | #4096 |
| 2005 | 19 | #4625 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Wilbur has also been given to 290 girls in the U.S. since 1912.
Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology