Wilde
An English surname derived from the Old English "wilde," meaning untamed, undomesticated, or uncivilized.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 12,511 Americans carry the last name Wilde. That puts it at #3,332 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 3.65 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 27,396 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Wilde surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
13K
1 in 27,396
Census rank
#3,332
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
3.6
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
11K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 10,766 bearers of the surname Wilde in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 3.65 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 3332nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Wilde, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.3%) and Two or More Races (1.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Wilde
The surname Wilde originated in England during the Middle Ages. It derived from the Old English word "wilde", meaning wild, untamed, or uncultivated. The name likely referred to someone who lived in a remote or rural area, perhaps on the outskirts of a town or village.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname Wilde date back to the 13th century. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 mention a Philip le Wilde from Oxfordshire. The name also appears in various medieval records and manuscripts, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1296, which list a John le Wilde.
In the 14th century, the surname Wilde began appearing in various spellings, including Wylde, Wilde, and Wyld. These variations reflect the inconsistencies in spelling and pronunciation common during that time period.
One of the earliest prominent individuals with the surname Wilde was Sir John Wilde (c. 1590-1669), an English lawyer and judge who served as Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer during the English Civil War.
Another notable figure was Jonathan Wilde (c. 1682-1725), a notorious English criminal and thieftaker who controlled a vast network of pickpockets and thieves in London. He was eventually hanged for his crimes.
In the 19th century, Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) became one of the most famous individuals to bear the surname. The Irish poet, playwright, and novelist is renowned for his wit, flamboyant style, and works such as "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and "The Importance of Being Earnest".
Other notable individuals with the surname Wilde include:
1. Ralph Waldo Wilde (1889-1967), an American mathematician known for his contributions to the field of topology.
2. Cornel Wilde (1912-1989), an American actor, director, and producer best known for his roles in films like "The Greatest Show on Earth" and "The Naked Prey".
3. Marty Wilde (born 1939), an English singer-songwriter and father of pop stars Kim Wilde and Ricky Wilde.
4. Amy Wilde (born 1972), an American golfer who won the U.S. Women's Open in 2014.
5. Max Wilde (born 1990), a German professional soccer player who currently plays as a defender for VfL Bochum.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Wilde
Among Census respondents with the surname Wilde, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.3%) and Two or More Races (1.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Wilde bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Wilde surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.6%
- Hispanic or Latino2.3%
- Two or more races1.2%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.7%
- Black or African American0.6%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Wilde surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #3,332 | #3,332 | 0.0% |
| Count | 10,766 | 10,766 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 3.65 | 3.65 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Wilde bearers went from 10,766 to 10,766 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #3,332 to #3,332.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Wilde
FAQ
Wilde surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Wilde?
The surname Wilde holds position #3,332 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 12,511 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 3.65 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Wilde surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Wilde, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.3%) and Two or More Races (1.2%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.