Find out how popular the first name Wylder has been for the last 19 years (from 2005 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Wylder by gender

Based on the last 19 years of data, Wylder is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 91% of people named Wylder being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 365 male babies and 28 female babies born with the name Wylder.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 28 baby girls were named Wylder in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Wylder

The name Wylder has its origins in the Old English language, dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period in Britain, around the 5th to 11th centuries AD. It is derived from the Old English words "wilde" meaning "wild, untamed" and "deor" meaning "deer" or "animal." Thus, the name Wylder originally referred to someone who lived in or frequented the wilderness, perhaps a hunter or forester.

While the name Wylder itself is not found in many ancient texts or historical records, its component parts have roots in Germanic and Norse languages. Variations of the name, such as Wildermer and Wildermere, were recorded in medieval England, particularly in regions like Yorkshire and Lancashire.

One of the earliest known individuals named Wylder was a 12th-century English lord, Wylder of Egremont, who held lands in Cumbria during the reign of King Henry II. Another notable bearer of the name was Sir Wylder Fortescue, a 14th-century English knight who fought in the Hundred Years' War against France.

In the 16th century, a Wylder Brooke was recorded as a prominent merchant and landowner in the city of Bristol. A century later, Wylder Smythe, born in 1635, was a respected clergyman and author of religious texts in Gloucestershire.

During the 18th century, Wylder Whitmore, born in 1722, was a prominent British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Royal Academy of Arts.

In the 19th century, Wylder Hartley, born in 1845, was a renowned English explorer and naturalist who made significant contributions to the study of flora and fauna in Africa and Asia.

Throughout history, the name Wylder has been associated with a spirit of adventure, exploration, and a connection to nature. While not as common as some other names, it has a rich heritage rooted in the language and culture of the Anglo-Saxon people.

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 Wylder was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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