The name Wilbur has its origins in Old German and Anglo-Saxon roots. It is derived from the Germanic words "wil" meaning "will" or "desire", and "beorht" meaning "bright" or "radiant". The name can therefore be interpreted as meaning "brilliant will" or "radiant desire".

In its earliest forms, the name was spelled as "Wilburh" or "Wilburga" and was commonly used in England and parts of northern Europe during the Middle Ages. It was particularly popular among Anglo-Saxon nobility and religious figures.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name dates back to the 7th century AD, when a Wilburga was mentioned as the abbess of a convent in Dereham, Norfolk. Another notable early bearer of the name was Saint Wilburga, who lived in the 8th century and was venerated as the patron saint of unmarried women and those suffering from bodily illnesses.

As the name evolved, it took on various spellings such as "Wilbur", "Wilbor", and "Wilburt". In the 12th century, a Wilbur was recorded as a monk in the Benedictine monastery of Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk, England.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Wilbur. One of the earliest was Wilbur the Younger (c. 1090-1156), a Norman nobleman and landowner in England during the reign of King Stephen.

In the 19th century, Wilbur Wright (1867-1912) was an American aviator and inventor, best known for pioneering the first successful powered airplane flight with his brother Orville in 1903.

Another famous Wilbur was Wilbur Morris (1889-1966), an American actor and comedian who appeared in numerous films and television shows in the 1940s and 1950s.

In the literary world, Wilbur Addison Smith (1933-2021) was a renowned South African novelist and writer, known for his bestselling novels set in Africa, such as "When the Lion Feeds" and "The Seventh Scroll".

Wilbur Soot (born 1996) is a contemporary English YouTuber and internet personality, known for his gaming and comedy content on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.