Wilmer is a unique and distinctive given name of German origin. It is derived from the Germanic elements "wil" meaning "will" or "desire," and "mar" which means "famous." Therefore, Wilmer's meaning can be interpreted as "famous in will" or "renowned for desire."
The name Wilmer has a rich history that dates back to the Middle Ages. It was initially used as a surname in Germany, where it was quite common among nobility and aristocracy. Over time, however, Wilmer began to be used as a given name as well.
One of the earliest known instances of Wilmer being used as a first name is in the 18th century. In England, there was a man named Wilmer by the famous poet William Wordsworth, who lived from 1770 to 1850. This association with the renowned poet may have contributed to the popularity of the name Wilmer during that period.
In the United States, Wilmer started to gain traction in the late 19th century and early 20th century. According to data from the Social Security Administration, its peak popularity was between 1910 and 1919 when it ranked within the top 1000 names for newborn boys.
Today, Wilmer is still used as a given name but remains relatively uncommon compared to more popular choices. Nevertheless, those who bear this unique moniker carry with them a touch of historical elegance and a distinctiveness that sets them apart from many others.
The statistics provided show the number of births for the name Wilmer in the United States from 1880 to 2023. The data demonstrates a varied trend over time, with periods of increase and decrease in popularity.
In the late 19th century, the name Wilmer experienced modest popularity, with birth counts ranging from 11 to 43 between 1880 and 1900. However, the early 20th century marked a significant rise in its usage, with a peak of 352 births in 1915. This trend continued throughout the 1910s and early 1920s, with birth counts consistently above 300.
After World War II, Wilmer's popularity began to decline steadily. From 1946 onwards, the number of births decreased significantly, reaching a low point of 29 in 1977. This trend persisted throughout most of the 1980s and early 1990s, with birth counts typically below 50.
However, since the mid-1990s, there has been a slight resurgence in the popularity of Wilmer. Birth counts have increased modestly over the past two decades, reaching 114 births in 2023. While still not as popular as it was in the early 20th century, Wilmer has maintained a consistent level of usage among parents in recent years.
In conclusion, while the popularity of the name Wilmer has fluctuated over time, it has remained a recognizable and occasionally prominent choice for parents in the United States. Despite its decline after the mid-20th century, Wilmer has shown signs of renewed popularity in recent years, suggesting that it continues to be considered as an option among expectant parents.