Wilson is a name of English origin that is derived from the Scottish surname Wilson, which means "son of William." The name William itself comes from the German name Willahelm, which is composed of two elements: "will," meaning desire or resolve, and "helm," meaning helmet or protection.
The Wilson family was originally a Scottish clan that traced its roots back to the 12th century. The surname Wilson was one of the earliest recorded names in Scotland, appearing in records as early as the 13th century. Over time, the name spread to other parts of Britain and eventually made its way across the Atlantic Ocean to North America with Scottish and English settlers.
Today, Wilson is a popular given name for boys, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. While it does not have any specific cultural or historical significance beyond its origins, it is often associated with strength, leadership, and determination, qualities that may be attributed to its meaning of "son of William," who was a famous Norman conqueror.
The statistics provided show the number of births given the name Wilson in the United States from 1880 to 2023. Over this period, there have been significant fluctuations in the popularity of the name Wilson.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of babies named Wilson ranged between 44 and 1381 births per year. The peak occurred in 1918 with a total of 1381 births, which was significantly higher than any other year during this period.
During the mid-20th century, the popularity of the name Wilson decreased considerably. Between 1950 and 1970, the number of babies named Wilson ranged between 226 and 303 births per year. However, there was a slight increase in popularity during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with over 400 births per year.
In recent years, the name Wilson has seen a decline in popularity again. Between 2000 and 2023, the number of babies named Wilson ranged between 370 and 463 births per year. Despite this decrease, it is still one of the more popular names, with over 400 births annually during this period.
Overall, while the name Wilson has experienced periods of both high and low popularity throughout history, it remains a relatively common choice for parents in the United States today.