Wilho
A rare masculine name possibly derived from Germanic elements meaning "determined protector".
Name Census estimates that about 4 living Americans carry the first name Wilho. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Wilho today is around 102 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Wilho births was 1916 (22 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Wilho. 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.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Wilho is about 102 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Wilhos were born before 1934.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Wilho. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
4
~ 1 in 85,688,585 Americans
Peak year
1916
22 babies that year
Average age
102
years old
1928 SSA rank
#3,686
Tracked since 1911
Popularity
Wilho: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Wilho from the 1910s through to the 1920s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1910s, with 110 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1910s peak, Wilho remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Wilho 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 Wilho during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Wilhos live
Origin
Meaning and history of Wilho
The name Wilho is believed to have originated from Finland, likely derived from the combination of the Finnish words "vili" meaning "lively" and "ho" meaning "glow" or "shine." This suggests that the name may have initially been associated with a person possessing a vibrant and radiant personality.
In the early 19th century, the name Wilho gained popularity in Finland, particularly among the Finnish-speaking population. It was often bestowed upon individuals born in rural areas or those with strong connections to the Finnish countryside. The name's rustic charm and association with nature resonated with many families during that era.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Wilho can be traced back to a Finnish folklore tale from the late 18th century, where a character named Wilho is depicted as a brave and resourceful hunter. This literary reference suggests that the name had already been in use among the Finnish populace for some time.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Wilho. One such person was Wilho Siukonen (1886-1944), a Finnish politician and trade union leader who played a significant role in advocating for workers' rights and social reforms in the early 20th century.
Another prominent figure with the name Wilho was Wilho Ilmari Natunen (1892-1964), a Finnish long-distance runner who won a silver medal in the 10,000 meters event at the 1920 Antwerp Olympics. His athletic achievements brought recognition to the name Wilho on the international stage.
In the field of literature, Wilho Siikanen (1890-1967) was a renowned Finnish author and poet. His works, which often explored themes of nature and rural life, were celebrated for their lyrical beauty and vivid depictions of the Finnish countryside.
Moving into the 20th century, Wilho Tapio Nikander (1912-1991) was a Finnish architect who made significant contributions to the modernist architectural movement in Finland. His innovative designs and use of natural materials left a lasting impact on the country's built environment.
Lastly, Wilho Kurronen (1943-2015) was a Finnish cross-country skier who competed in multiple Winter Olympics, earning a bronze medal in the 4x10 km relay event at the 1968 Grenoble Games. His sporting achievements further solidified the name Wilho as a symbol of Finnish perseverance and athletic prowess.
People
Wilho + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Wilho 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
Wilho: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Wilho?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 4 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Wilho 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 85,688,585 US residents.
Is Wilho a common name?
We classify Wilho as "Very Rare". It ranks above 6.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 181 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Wilho most popular?
The single biggest year for Wilho was 1916, when 22 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Wilho is about 102 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Wilho in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Wilho a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Wilho 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.
Is Wilho still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Wilho in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Wilho can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
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.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have the name Wilho?
If you just want to know how many people have the name Wilho, HowManyOfMe.org gives you the headline number in one glance.