Meaning & Story
Wilfred is an Old English name from Wilfrid — from will (will/desire) and frith (peace), meaning desires peace or will-peace. It was the name of several Anglo-Saxon saints and carries a wonderfully vintage English quality. The beloved Canadian television series Wilfred gave it fresh recognition as a dog name specifically.
Wilfred is a name with magnificent vintage English charm — it sounds like it belongs to a distinguished elderly gentleman who takes long walks through the countryside and has very strong opinions about the proper preparation of tea. On a dog, this incongruity becomes utterly endearing. The Canadian TV show Wilfred made it iconic as a dog name. Pets named Wilfred tend to be dignified, slightly eccentric, and deeply lovable in that unassuming, reliable English way.