Wilber is a unique and distinctive male given name of English origin. It is derived from the Old English word "wilbur", which means "bright-fame" or "illustrious". The name Wilber has been used in English-speaking countries for centuries, but it has never been particularly common.
The name Wilber was first recorded in England during the Middle Ages. It was often given to children born into prominent families as a way of conveying their high social status. Over time, the name became more associated with the lower classes and eventually fell out of favor altogether.
Despite its decline in popularity, the name Wilber has been revived in recent years by parents looking for unique and meaningful names for their sons. Some famous people who bear the name Wilber include American writer Wilbur Smith and British musician Wilbert Harrison.
Overall, Wilber is a name with a rich history that dates back centuries. While it may not be as widely used today as it once was, it remains a distinctive and meaningful choice for parents looking for an unusual name for their son.
The name Wilber has seen a varied history of popularity over the years in the United States. In the late 19th century, the number of births with this name fluctuated between a low of 6 births in 1870 to a high of 94 births in 1914. The peak of popularity for Wilber was during World War I, with over 150 births each year from 1915 to 1920.
However, the name Wilber began to decline in popularity during the Great Depression era, with fewer than 67 births per year between 1933 and 1945. The post-WWII baby boom did not bring a resurgence of popularity for Wilber, as the number of births remained below 50 each year from 1946 to 1959.
Despite this decline in popularity, Wilber has maintained a consistent presence in American naming culture. Between 1960 and 2023, there were at least 9 births with the name Wilber every year, with some years even exceeding 60 births. The most recent data from 2023 shows that Wilber is still being chosen as a baby's name, with 33 recorded births.
In total, over the course of 154 years, there were 6839 babies named Wilber in the United States. This demonstrates that while Wilber may not be among the most popular names today, it has been a consistent and enduring choice for parents throughout American history.