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Home › Baby Names Directory › Wilbert

Wilbert

♂ Boy

Pronounced WIL-bərt /ˈwɪl.bərt/High

Meaning: From Old English/Germanic Wilbeorht, 'bright will', from wil, 'will, desire', plus beorht, 'bright'Medium

In 30 seconds: Bright will: Wilbert is Old English/Germanic 'bright will'. Vintage, sturdy, and warm (The Railway Series' Rev. W. Awdry penned Wilbert).
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Origin MediumGerman, English
MeaningFrom Old English/Germanic Wilbeorht, 'bright will', from wil, 'will, desire', plus beorht, 'bright'
U.S. rank (2025)#5031 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births20 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1922
Total births (all-time)≈ 40,015

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192218802025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Wilbert comes from Old English/Germanic Wilbeorht, 'bright will' — from wil, 'will, desire', plus beorht, 'bright, shining'. A vintage, sturdy name (the Rev. Wilbert Awdry, creator of Thomas the Tank Engine); nicknames Will or Bert.

It registers thinly today. Rare now, bright-will at the root, and vintage.

Did you know? Wilbert means 'bright will' (Old English/Germanic wil + beorht, 'will' + 'bright') — a vintage, sturdy name (a Wilbert was the Thomas the Tank Engine author's own name; nickname Will or Bert).
Overall data confidence 75%
Behind the Name — Wilbert — etymology

Variations

WilburtWilburGilbert

Nicknames

WillBert

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Wilbert…

Wilbur— a sound-neighbor Wil- name
Gilbert— a fellow -bert name
Wilfred— another Wil- vintage name
Albert— a companion -bert classic

Explore names like Wilbert

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Wilbert mean?

Wilbert is Old English/Germanic for 'bright will' (will + bright).

How do you pronounce Wilbert?

It's said WIL-bərt /ˈwɪl.bərt/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Wilbert a boy or girl name?

Wilbert is a boy's name.

How popular is Wilbert?

Wilbert is a rare name in the U.S. today.

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