Wheeler
A gender-neutral English name derived from the occupational term for a wheelwright.
Name Census estimates that about 915 living Americans carry the first name Wheeler. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Wheeler today is around 36 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Wheeler births was 2024 (45 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Wheeler. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
915
~ 1 in 374,595 Americans
Peak year
2024
45 babies that year
Average age
36
years old
2024 SSA rank
#2,862
Tracked since 1880
Gender
Gender distribution for Wheeler
Out of the 1,888 babies given the name Wheeler since 1880, 99.7% were registered as male. The name sits firmly on the male side of the spectrum, with only a handful of female registrations across the entire dataset.
Wheeler as a male name
- Ranked #2,862 in 2024
- 45 male births in 2024
- Peak: 2024 (45 births)
Wheeler as a female name
- Ranked #5,563 in 1918
- 5 female births in 1918
- Peak: 1918 (5 births)
Popularity
Wheeler: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Wheeler from the 1880s through to the 2020s, spanning 15 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1920s, with 287 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1920s peak, Wheeler remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Wheeler by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Wheeler during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Wheelers live
The SSA's state-level files cover 7 states and territories. Alabama, North Carolina, Texas recorded the most babies named Wheeler, while Tennessee, South Carolina, Mississippi recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 17 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Wheeler
The name Wheeler has its origins in the Old English language, derived from the word "hwēol," meaning "wheel." This name emerged during the Middle Ages, likely between the 5th and 11th centuries CE, when the Anglo-Saxon settlers inhabited the British Isles.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Wheeler can be traced back to the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and property values commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. In this document, there are references to individuals with the surname Wheeler, indicating that the name was already in use during the Norman period.
Throughout the medieval era, the name Wheeler was often associated with skilled craftsmen who specialized in the production or repair of wheels, particularly for carriages, wagons, and other wheeled vehicles. This occupation was essential for transportation and trade, lending the name a certain prestige and recognition within various communities.
In the 16th century, during the Renaissance period, the name Wheeler gained further prominence. One notable figure was Sir Francis Wheeler (1567-1625), an English diplomat and politician who served as Secretary of State under King James I. His contributions to the English court and diplomatic affairs helped elevate the status of the name.
Another historically significant individual bearing the name Wheeler was Joseph Wheeler (1836-1906), a renowned American military officer who served in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. He later became a prominent figure in the Spanish-American War, earning the nickname "Fighting Joe Wheeler" for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield.
In the realm of literature, the name Wheeler is associated with the American author Candace Wheeler (1827-1923), who played a vital role in the Arts and Crafts movement. Her works, including textile designs and writings on decorative arts, left a lasting impact on the artistic and cultural landscape of her time.
Moving into the 20th century, one cannot overlook the contributions of Burton K. Wheeler (1882-1975), a influential United States Senator from Montana. Known for his progressive policies and unwavering stance against corporate monopolies, he championed various legislative reforms during his tenure in the Senate.
These are just a few notable examples of individuals who have carried the name Wheeler throughout history, each leaving an indelible mark on their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of the name's legacy.
People
Wheeler + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Wheeler as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with W
Other first names starting with W with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Wheeler: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Wheeler?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 915 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Wheeler going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 374,595 US residents.
Is Wheeler a common name?
We classify Wheeler as "Very Rare". It ranks above 89.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 1,888 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Wheeler most popular?
The single biggest year for Wheeler was 2024, when 45 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Wheeler is about 36 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Wheeler a male name?
Yes, 99.7% of people registered as Wheeler in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.