Wilfrid Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Wilfrid is an Old English name meaning 'desiring peace' or 'peaceful will', derived from elements that signify a longing for tranquility. It evolved from Wulfrid in Old English, to a Latinized form, and then to its modern version. The name gained significance through historical figures, particularly Saint Wilfrid, who contributed to the spread of Christianity in England. Today, it is seen as a classic name with noble associations, though it is not widely used.
The name Wilfrid is most popular in New Hampshire, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Wilfrid has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast. Across generations, 'Wilfrid' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1011th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1445th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3051st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 6919th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 13420th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 19331st out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 18910th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Wilfrid' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Wilfrid"
Pronunciation
/ˈwɪlfrɪd/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Wilfrid is derived from the Old English elements 'wil' meaning 'desire' or 'will' and 'frid' meaning 'peace'. Thus, it can be interpreted as 'desiring peace' or 'peaceful will'.
Meaning
Desiring peace, peaceful will
Language Evolution
Wulfrid (Old English), Wilfridus (Latinized form), Wilfrid (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the early medieval period, particularly due to Saint Wilfrid, an influential bishop in the 7th century who played a significant role in the Christianization of parts of England.
Variants & Derivatives
Wilfred, Wilf, Wil
Modern Popularity & Image
Wilfrid is viewed as a traditional and somewhat vintage name, often associated with a sense of nobility and historical significance. It is less commonly used today but retains a classic charm.
Famous People
Wilfrid Laurier, former Prime Minister of Canada, Wilfrid Sellars, American philosopher
Explore More Wilfrid Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Wilfrid"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Wilfrid"
"Wilfrid" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1011th of 7545 | 742 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1445th of 6773 | 412 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3051st of 7552 | 140 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 6919th of 10718 | 28 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 13420th of 16616 | 12 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 19331st of 24088 | 13 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 18910th of 23106 | 12 |
Regional Popularity of "Wilfrid" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
83.05% 1176th/1416 |
37.35% 515th/1379 |
- | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
46.21% 719th/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Wilfrid" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Wilfrid"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Wilfrid" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.