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Home › Baby Names Directory › Wilburn

Wilburn

♂ Boy

Pronounced WIL-burn /ˈwɪl.bɜːrn/Medium

Meaning: An English surname turned given name, closely tied to Wilbur, from Germanic roots often read as 'will; resolve' plus 'bright' (or as a place name ending in -burn, 'stream'). It rose in the early 20th century alongside the Wright-brothers-era vogue for Wilbur.Low

In 30 seconds: A sturdy old name: Wilburn links to Wilbur ('resolute, bright will'), said 'WIL-burn.' Early-century and rugged.
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Origin LowEnglish
MeaningAn English surname turned given name, closely tied to Wilbur, from Germanic roots often read as 'will; resolve' plus 'bright' (or as a place name ending in -burn, 'stream'). It rose in the early 20th century alongside the Wright-brothers-era vogue for Wilbur.
U.S. rank (2022)#14215 ↘ Falling
2022 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1926
Total births (all-time)≈ 10,324

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192618802022

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

Wilburn is an English surname and given name allied to Wilbur, from Germanic elements read as 'resolute, bright will,' with a -burn ('stream') echo. It was most common in the early 20th century — the Wilbur-and-Orville aviation era — peaking in 1926 before fading (said 'WIL-burn').

Wilburn belonged to the early-century generation and is seldom heard now. Rare, rustic, and vintage.

Did you know? Wilburn is an early-1900s surname-name kin to Wilbur; it peaked around 1926 and has faded to rarity since.
Overall data confidence 44%
References — Wilburn — Linked to Wilbur; Germanic 'resolute, bright will'; -burn 'stream'

Variations

WilburWilbournWilburt

Nicknames

WillBurn

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Wilburn…

Wilbur— the name it echoes
Wilford— a like early-century pick
Orval— a like rugged vintage name
Warren— lands in the same popularity range
Walter— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Wilburn

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Wilburn mean?

Wilburn is a surname and given name linked to Wilbur, from Germanic roots meaning 'resolute, bright will.'

How do you pronounce Wilburn?

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

Is Wilburn a boy or girl name?

Wilburn is used here as a boy's name.

How popular is Wilburn?

Wilburn peaked in the nineteen-twenties and is very rare today.

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