Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Wilkes

Wilkes

♂ Boy

Pronounced WILKS /ˈwɪlks/High

Meaning: From an English surname — 'son of Wilkin', a diminutive of William, 'resolute protector'Medium

In 30 seconds: Crisp and surname-cool: Wilkes is 'son of little William' — 'resolute protector'. Snappy, Southern-flavored, and strong.
💕 Browse more names
Origin MediumGerman, English
MeaningFrom an English surname — 'son of Wilkin', a diminutive of William, 'resolute protector'
U.S. rank (2025)#5032 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births20 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2018
Total births (all-time)≈ 318

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201819162025

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

Wilkes comes from an English surname — 'son of Wilkin', a medieval diminutive of William, from Germanic wil, 'will', plus helm, 'protection' — 'resolute protector'. A crisp, strong surname-name.

It registers thinly in records. Rare, son-of-little-William at the root, and snappy.

Did you know? Wilkes means 'son of Wilkin' (little William, 'resolute protector') — a crisp surname-name with a Southern-gentleman ring (Ashley Wilkes of Gone with the Wind).
Overall data confidence 72%
Surname references — Wilkes — etymology

Variations

WilkesWilkin

Nicknames

Will

Famous Bearers

  • ★Charles Wilkes (1798-1877)
    American naval officer and explorer who led the United States Exploring Expedition of 1838-1842

If you like Wilkes…

Banks— a fellow -s surname-name
Brooks— a companion -s name
Hayes— another crisp surname-name
Welles— another English name
Niles— another English name

Explore names like Wilkes

By themeenglishsurname-namegerman
By meaningProtector

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Wilkes mean?

Wilkes is English for 'son of Wilkin (little William)' — 'resolute protector'.

How do you pronounce Wilkes?

It's said WILKS /ˈwɪlks/ — a single syllable.

Is Wilkes a boy or girl name?

Wilkes is a boy's name.

How popular is Wilkes?

Wilkes is a rare name in the U.S.

💬 Ask Nia