Wilferd is a unique and distinctive male given name of Germanic origin. It is derived from the Old German elements "wil" meaning "will" or "desire," and "-fard" which means "journey" or "travel." Therefore, Wilferd can be interpreted as "strong-willed journey" or "desiring travel."
The name Wilferd has a rich history that dates back to the Middle Ages. It was first introduced through the character Wilfer in the 13th-century English romance, "Guy of Warwick." Wilfer is a loyal and valiant knight who accompanies Guy on his adventures. This literary figure may have contributed to the popularity of the name Wilferd during medieval times.
However, it is important to note that Wilferd has not been widely used as a given name throughout history. It is considered quite rare and unique, with very few individuals bearing this name in modern times. This rarity can make Wilferd an interesting choice for parents looking for an uncommon yet meaningful name for their child.
In terms of popularity, there are no records or statistics available on the prevalence of the name Wilferd. It does not appear in lists of common names and is not tracked by organizations such as the Social Security Administration in the United States. This further emphasizes its rarity and uniqueness.
Overall, Wilferd is a historic and meaningful male given name with Germanic roots. Its unique sound and rare usage make it an attractive option for parents seeking an uncommon yet significant name for their child.
The name Wilferd has been given to a total of 481 babies born in the United States between the years 1912 and 1966. The popularity of this unique name varied over time, with peaks occurring in certain decades.
In the early 1910s, there was an initial rise in the number of births with the name Wilferd, reaching a peak of 19 births in both 1914 and 1918. However, this popularity did not last long as the number of births with the name dropped significantly in the following years.
Throughout the 1920s, there was some fluctuation in the popularity of the name Wilferd, with peaks occurring in 1920 (23 births) and 1925 (24 births). The decade ended with a drop to just 8 births in both 1936 and 1937.
The 1940s saw a slight increase in the popularity of the name Wilferd, with peaks occurring in 1940 (12 births) and 1945 (8 births). However, this popularity was short-lived as there were no recorded births with the name Wilferd between 1947 and 1952.
The late 1950s and early 1960s saw a brief resurgence in the popularity of the name Wilferd, with peaks occurring in 1958 (6 births) and 1966 (6 births). However, overall, the number of births with the name Wilferd remained relatively low during this period.
Overall, while the name Wilferd has not been particularly popular throughout history, it has been given to a total of 481 babies born in the United States over a span of nearly sixty years. Despite its fluctuations in popularity, the unique nature of the name Wilferd continues to make it an appealing choice for parents looking for something different and distinctive.