Find out how popular the first name Wilde has been for the last 15 years (from 2009 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Wilde by gender

Based on the last 15 years of data, Wilde is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 96% of people named Wilde being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 18 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Wilde.

The history of the first name Wilde

The name Wilde is derived from the Old English word 'wilde', meaning 'wild' or 'untamed'. It was originally used as a descriptive nickname for someone who lived in a remote or uncultivated area, or who had an untamed personality or appearance.

Wilde has its roots in the Anglo-Saxon period of English history, which spanned from the 5th to the 11th century. During this time, many personal names were based on physical or personality traits, occupations, or places of origin. The name Wilde likely emerged as a way to identify individuals with a particular characteristic or lifestyle.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Wilde can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive land survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This suggests that the name was in use among the Anglo-Saxon population before the Norman Conquest of 1066.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Wilde appeared in various forms, such as Wylde, Wilde, and Wylde, reflecting the fluid spelling conventions of the time. It was not uncommon for names to be spelled differently, even within the same family or community.

In the 16th century, the English poet and actor William Wilde (c. 1590-1676) achieved some notoriety for his plays and literary works. He is believed to be one of the earliest notable individuals to bear the name Wilde.

Another prominent figure was Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), the renowned Irish playwright, novelist, and poet. His literary works, such as "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and "The Importance of Being Earnest", have become classics of English literature. Wilde's flamboyant personality and unconventional lifestyle have made him an enduring cultural icon.

In the realm of science, the name Wilde is associated with the English physician and philosopher Jonathan Wilde (1616-1678). He was a prominent figure in the early days of the Royal Society and made significant contributions to the field of medicine.

The American writer and poet Percival Wilde (1887-1953) was a influential figure in the literary circles of the early 20th century. His works, including the poetry collection "Trelawny" and the novel "The Unspeakable Perk", explored themes of nature, spirituality, and human relationships.

In the world of sports, the British athlete and Olympic champion Jack Wilde (1920-2012) was a notable figure in the field of rowing. He won a gold medal in the coxless fours event at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Wilde was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Wilde, please contact us.

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