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Wilder

♂ Boy

Pronounced WYL-der /ˈwaɪl.dər/High

Meaning: From Old English wilde meaning wild, untamed, or from the wilderness; used as a surname and then as a given name for its adventurous, nature-rooted spiritHigh

In 30 seconds: Wilder is a rugged Old English word name meaning 'wild and untamed' — an adventurous surname-name with frontier spirit and a literary pedigree through Billy Wilder and Laura Ingalls Wilder.
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Origin HighOld English
MeaningFrom Old English wilde meaning wild, untamed, or from the wilderness; used as a surname and then as a given name for its adventurous, nature-rooted spirit
U.S. rank (2025)#431 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births743 boys (0.04% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2021
Total births (all-time)≈ 8,190

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202119142025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Wilder comes from Old English wilde meaning wild, untamed, or uncontrolled. As a surname it denoted one who lived near wilderness or had a wild character.

As a given name, Wilder began appearing in the United States in the 2010s and has grown rapidly. It fits within the trend of adventurous, nature-connected word names for boys.

Did you know? Laura Ingalls Wilder's surname means from the wild, which is wonderfully apt for the author who documented frontier life in the American wilderness — and whose name may have helped plant Wilder as a given name.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name — Wilder — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

Wylder

Nicknames

WillWild

Famous Bearers

  • ★Billy Wilder (1906–2002)
    Austrian-American film director, screenwriter, and producer; winner of six Academy Awards.
  • ★Gene Wilder (1933–2016)
    American actor and comedian, beloved for Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Young Frankenstein.

If you like Wilder…

Hunter— shares the wild, outdoorsy occupational word-name spirit and similar rugged appeal
Boone— fellow frontier-flavored one-accent name with the same bold American wilderness energy
Ranger— shares the adventurous outdoor word-name quality and the same spirited personality
Forrest— shares the nature-connected word-name heritage and similar literary associations

Frequently Asked

What does the name Wilder mean?

Wilder means wild or untamed from Old English wilde; it evokes wilderness, adventure, and frontier spirit.

How do you pronounce Wilder?

It is said WYL-der /ˈwaɪl.dər/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Wilder a new name?

As a given name, Wilder has been rising sharply in the U.S. since the 2010s, though it is established as a surname.

Is Wilder a nature name?

Yes, Wilder is a word name with nature and wilderness associations, appealing to parents who love outdoor and adventurous names.