The name Wilfred originates from the Germanic languages, deriving from the elements "wil" meaning "will" or "desire", and "frid" meaning "peace". It can be translated to mean "desiring peace" or "willful protector". The earliest known spelling was Wilfrid, which was used in ancient Anglo-Saxon England during the 7th century.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name is Saint Wilfrid, a 7th-century Bishop of York who played a significant role in the conversion of pagan Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. He was born around 634 AD and died in 709 AD. His name was also spelled as Wilfrith and Wilfrid.

In the 9th century, the name appeared in the form of Wilfred in the medieval Anglo-Saxon chronicle known as the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. This historical record documented important events in early English history.

During the Middle Ages, the name Wilfred was popular among the nobility and ruling classes in various parts of Europe. One notable figure was Wilfred the Hairy, the Count of Barcelona and Urgell, who lived from around 850 AD to 897 AD.

In the 11th century, the name was borne by Wilfred, the Bishop of Coutances in Normandy, who accompanied William the Conqueror during the Norman invasion of England in 1066.

Another famous bearer of the name was Wilfred Owen, the renowned English poet and soldier who lived from 1893 to 1918. He is best known for his powerful and influential war poetry written during World War I.

Throughout history, the name Wilfred has also been found in various spellings such as Wilfrid, Wilfred, Wilfrith, and Wilfред, reflecting the linguistic and cultural influences of different regions.