Wilder is a unique and distinctive given name of English origin. It is derived from the Old English word "wyldor," which means "wild." This name has a rich history that dates back to medieval times, but it was not commonly used as a given name until recent decades.
The name Wilder gained prominence in the late 20th century and early 21st century due in part to its use by celebrities. American actress Liv Tyler named her son Sailor Gene Wilder in honor of her father, actor and comedian Gene Wilder, who was born Jerome Silberman. This has helped to popularize the name Wilder as a given name.
Wilder is often associated with nature and the outdoors, reflecting its meaning "wild." It can evoke images of vast, untamed landscapes and adventurous spirits. However, it also has a certain rugged individualism that sets it apart from other nature-inspired names like Forest or Reed.
Despite its recent popularity as a given name, Wilder remains relatively uncommon compared to more traditional names like William or James. This makes it an appealing choice for parents looking for something unique and distinctive for their child.
In conclusion, the name Wilder is of English origin and means "wild." It has a rich history that dates back centuries but was not commonly used as a given name until recently. Today, it is often associated with nature and adventurous spirits, making it an appealing choice for parents looking for something unique for their child.
The name Wilder has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past two decades in the United States. With only five births recorded each year between 1918 and 1928, it was quite rare during this period. However, starting from 2008, there has been a steady rise in the number of newborns named Wilder.
The turning point seems to have occurred in 2014 with ten births, marking an almost doubling of the previous year's figure of six. Since then, the name has gained considerable traction:
* In 2015, there were 22 recorded births, nearly triple the number from the preceding year.
* This upward trend continued into 2016 and 2017 with 38 and 33 births respectively.
* The most recent data shows that in 2021 and 2022, there were a total of 176 newborns named Wilder.
Overall, from 1918 to 2023, there have been a total of 544 recorded births with the name Wilder in the United States. This data suggests that while once quite uncommon, Wilder is now becoming increasingly popular as a baby boy's name.