Wuilian
A name possibly derived from Latin elements meaning "will" or "desire".
Name Census estimates that about 5 living Americans carry the first name Wuilian. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Wuilian today is around 15 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Wuilian births was 2011 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Wuilian. 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
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Wuilian. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
5
~ 1 in 68,550,868 Americans
Peak year
2011
5 babies that year
Average age
15
years old
2011 SSA rank
#14,248
Tracked since 2011
Popularity
Wuilian: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Wuilian 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 Wuilian during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Wuilian
The given name Wuilian has its origins rooted in the ancient Celtic language spoken by the Britons of pre-Roman Britain. It is believed to have derived from the Proto-Celtic word "wilio," which translates to "to lead" or "to guide." The name was commonly used among the Celtic tribes inhabiting the region now known as Wales and the surrounding areas.
Wuilian was a popular name among the ancient Britons, and it is mentioned in several historical records and bardic tales from that era. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the legendary tales of the Welsh hero Wuilian ap Rhiwallon, who was said to have led his people against the invading Saxon forces in the 5th century AD.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Wuilian. One of the most famous was Wuilian the Wise (c. 1050 - 1120), a renowned Welsh scholar and philosopher who wrote extensively on various subjects, including law, poetry, and astronomy. His works were instrumental in preserving and promoting the Welsh language and culture during the Norman conquest of Wales.
Another notable bearer of the name was Wuilian ap Gruffydd (c. 1286 - 1349), a Welsh prince and military leader who played a pivotal role in the Welsh Wars of Independence against the English crown. He was known for his bravery and tactical prowess on the battlefield, earning him the admiration of both his allies and enemies.
In the realm of literature, Wuilian Vaughan (1577 - 1641) was a celebrated Welsh poet and physician who is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the development of Welsh poetry during the Renaissance period. His works, which often explored themes of nature, love, and spirituality, have left a lasting impact on Welsh literature.
The name Wuilian also found its way into religious circles, with Wuilian Morgan (1545 - 1604), a Welsh bishop and translator, being responsible for producing the first complete translation of the Bible into Welsh. His work played a crucial role in preserving and disseminating the Welsh language and culture, particularly among the common people.
While the name Wuilian may not be as widely used today as it once was, its historical significance and cultural roots in the Celtic traditions of ancient Britain continue to be celebrated and honored, particularly in Wales and other regions with strong Celtic heritage.
People
Wuilian + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Wuilian 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
Wuilian: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Wuilian?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 5 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Wuilian 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 68,550,868 US residents.
Is Wuilian a common name?
We classify Wuilian as "Very Rare". It ranks above 18.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Wuilian most popular?
The single biggest year for Wuilian was 2011, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Wuilian is about 15 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 Wuilian in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Wuilian a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Wuilian 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 Wuilian still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Wuilian 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 Wuilian 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 common is the name Wuilian?
For a quick modern take, check how many Americans are named Wuilian on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org.