Wiltz
A masculine name derived from an Old German word meaning "valiant warrior".
Name Census estimates that about 3 living Americans carry the first name Wiltz. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Wiltz today is around 79 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Wiltz births was 1940 (7 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Wiltz. 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 Wiltz is about 79 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Wiltz' were born before 1957.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Wiltz. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
3
~ 1 in 114,251,446 Americans
Peak year
1940
7 babies that year
Average age
79
years old
1940 SSA rank
#3,124
Tracked since 1940
Popularity
Wiltz: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Wiltz 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 Wiltz during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1940s | 7 | 0 | 7 |
Geography
Where Wiltz' live
Origin
Meaning and history of Wiltz
The given name Wiltz is of Germanic origin, tracing its roots back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old German word "willio," meaning "desire" or "will." The name was initially popular in regions of modern-day Germany and the Netherlands.
Wiltz gained prominence in the 8th century, when it was associated with a notable Frankish nobleman, Wiltz of Aachen. This historical figure was a trusted advisor to Charlemagne, the King of the Franks, and played a crucial role in the expansion of the Carolingian Empire.
During the Middle Ages, the name Wiltz appeared in several medieval manuscripts and chronicles, particularly those documenting the lives of prominent figures in the Holy Roman Empire. It was often used as a first name among the nobility and upper classes of Germanic societies.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Wiltz dates back to the 11th century, when a Benedictine monk named Wiltz von Reichenau (1008-1088) gained recognition for his scholarly works and contributions to the monastic community.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Wiltz. In the 13th century, Wiltz von Rappoltstein (1220-1283) was a renowned German knight and military commander who participated in the Crusades. During the Renaissance, Wiltz Wittelsbach (1455-1508) was a influential Bavarian statesman and diplomat.
In the 18th century, Wiltz von Goethe (1749-1832), a German writer and philosopher, gained fame as a leading figure of the Sturm und Drang literary movement. His works, including the masterpiece "Faust," have had a profound influence on Western literature.
Another prominent figure with the name Wiltz was the 19th century German composer and pianist, Wiltz Reger (1873-1916). His compositions, particularly his organ works, are considered significant contributions to the Late Romantic era of classical music.
While the name Wiltz has its roots in German-speaking regions, it has also been adopted and adapted in other cultures over the centuries, reflecting the global exchange of names and their evolving meanings across time and space.
People
Wiltz + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Wiltz 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
Wiltz: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Wiltz?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 3 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Wiltz 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 114,251,446 US residents.
Is Wiltz a common name?
We classify Wiltz as "Very Rare". It ranks above 4.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 7 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Wiltz most popular?
The single biggest year for Wiltz was 1940, when 7 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Wiltz is about 79 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 Wiltz in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Wiltz a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Wiltz 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 Wiltz still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Wiltz 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 Wiltz 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 are named Wiltz?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.