Wilho
A boy's name of Finnish origin with 181 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
When Wilho hit its peak of 22 births in 1916, American naming still drew heavily from family heritage, religious tradition, and the cultural norms of the time.
Today, Wilho reads as a vintage revival candidate — which is exactly what draws some parents to it.
Wilho is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Wilho is a boy's baby name of Finnish origin, the Finnish form of Wilhelm (William), derived from the Germanic elements wil (will, desire) and helm (helmet, protection), meaning 'resolute protector.' Finnish immigrants to the United States, particularly in the Upper Midwest, brought names like Wilho with them in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Wilho has the spare, two-syllable character of Finnish masculine names — strong, unadorned, and carrying the quiet resilience associated with Finnish sisu (perseverance).
EtymologyShow more
Wilho is built from 5 letters and two syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Finnish naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Wilho creates its characteristic open, approachable quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Wilho has 17+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1911.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 71 | ▼ |
| 1910s | 110 | — |
The Story of Wilho
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1916, Wilho is a name steeped in history. Boys named Wilho are most likely born between 1911 and 1926.
How rare is Wilho?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Wilho is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1911, peaked in the 1910s with 110 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Wilho by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(17 years, 1911–1928)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1928 | 7 | #3686 |
| 1926 | 6 | #4181 |
| 1925 | 7 | #3730 |
| 1924 | 8 | #3501 |
| 1923 | 14 | #2329 |
| 1922 | 11 | #2795 |
| 1921 | 9 | #3207 |
| 1920 | 9 | #3199 |
| 1919 | 11 | #2662 |
| 1918 | 16 | #2069 |
| 1917 | 15 | #2089 |
| 1916 | 22 | #1548 |
| 1915 | 15 | #1965 |
| 1914 | 10 | #2267 |
| 1913 | 9 | #2089 |
| 1912 | 7 | #2264 |
| 1911 | 5 | #1991 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wilho a boy's or girl's name?
When was Wilho most popular?
How popular is the name Wilho?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1911–1928