Wilfrid is a name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German words "wil" meaning "will" or "desire," and "frith" which means "peace." The full name Wilfrid means "resolute in peace."
The name Wilfrid has been used since the Middle Ages. It was particularly popular during the 7th century when Saint Wilfrid, also known as Saint Wilfred, lived. He was a bishop of York and is one of the most famous people with this name. His life and works contributed to the spread of Christianity in England.
In France, Wilfrid became more common after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. It has been used throughout Europe since then, but it remains relatively rare.
Today, Wilfrid is considered a classic yet unique name that carries historical significance and a strong meaning. While it may not be as widely used as some other names, those who bear the name Wilfrid are often proud of its rich history and meaningful origin.
Based on the statistics provided for the name Wilfrid in the United States from 1887 to 2020, we can observe several trends over time.
The name Wilfrid first appeared as a popular choice in the late 19th century, with seven births recorded in both 1891 and 1893. This popularity continued into the early 20th century, with an increase to 17 births in 1911 and peaking at 56 births in 1921.
However, from the mid-1920s onwards, there was a decline in the number of babies named Wilfrid. By 1930, the figure had dropped to 37 births, and it continued to decrease throughout the decades that followed. The lowest point came in the late 1940s and early 1950s, with fewer than ten births per year recorded between 1946 and 1953.
Interestingly, there was a small resurgence of the name Wilfrid in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with eight births recorded in both 1973 and 2002. However, this trend did not continue into the 21st century, as only five births were reported in both 2008 and 2020.
Overall, while Wilfrid was once a popular name choice for newborns in the United States, its popularity has waned over time. In total, there have been 1419 babies named Wilfrid born in the U.S. since 1887. Despite its decline in recent years, it is still possible that parents may choose this distinctive and historic name for their children in the future.