Boy name · English
Wilder
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: untamedWilder is a boy's name that comes from English and means "untamed". It is used in English.
- Meaning
- Untamed
- Origin
- English
- Gender
- Boy
- US rank
- #431 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Wilder
As a boy's name, Wilder comes from English and means "untamed". It is used in English.
Wilder is also a surname: the 1,170th most common in the 2020 US Census, held by 29,512 people. See the most common last names.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Wilder on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Wilder on 4 lists.
“Wild at heart and made for the woods”
From Redneck names for boys, outdoorsy country boy names
“For a free spirit who belongs outdoors”
From Boy dog names, unique male dog names
“Untamed; English. Adventurous surname”
From Boy middle names, nature middle names for boys
“Untamed and proud of it”
From Female demon hunter names, huntress names
How popular is Wilder?
- US rank in 2025
- #431
- 743 babies, 435 per million boys
- Best rank
- #367 in 2021
- 890 babies that year
- Babies since 1914
- At least 8,197
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 0 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 per million |
| 1900s | 0 per million |
| 1910s | 7 per million |
| 1920s | 7 per million |
| 1930s | 2 per million |
| 1940s | 1 per million |
| 1950s | 1 per million |
| 1960s | 0 per million |
| 1970s | 0 per million |
| 1980s | 3 per million |
| 1990s | 8 per million |
| 2000s | 18 per million |
| 2010s | 141 per million |
| 2020s | 462 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #726 | #573 | #527 | #485 | #427 | #367 | #374 | #422 | #390 | #431 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Names spelled like Wilder
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
Middle names for Wilder
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a shorter length, so the full name flows.
More boy names from English
- AinsleyFrom a place named for a solitary or hermitage clearing (English, unisex)
- ArmstrongStrong in the arm (English, boy)
- JacksonFrom a surname meaning son of Jack (English, boy)
- AceFrom the English word ace, highest rank (English, boy)
- AdairFrom a surname derived from Edgar (English, unisex)
- AndersonSon of Andrew (English, boy)
- ArloMeaning uncertain; perhaps from Spenser's Arlo Hill (English, boy)
- AyrtonSettlement on the River Aire (English, boy)
- BayA sheltered curve of coast (English, unisex)
- BensonFrom a surname meaning son of Benedict (English, boy)
Wilder: common questions
What does the name Wilder mean?
Wilder comes from English and means "untamed".
Is Wilder a boy or girl name?
Wilder is mainly a boy's name. In 2025, 43 girls and 743 boys in the US were named Wilder, according to Social Security Administration data.
Where does the name Wilder come from?
Wilder comes from English and means "untamed". Today it is used in English.
How popular is the name Wilder?
Wilder ranked #431 in the US in 2025, with 743 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What names are similar to Wilder?
Names spelled like Wilder include Walter, Walker and Willem.
What middle names go with Wilder?
Middle names that flow well with Wilder include Drake, Eli, Grant, Lance and Lane. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.