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 name Wilmer saw significant fluctuations over the years with a total of 15,793 births recorded between 1880 and 2023. It peaked during World War I, reaching its highest point in 1918 with 344 births. Post-war, popularity decreased dramatically, dropping to around 50 births per year from the late 1920s onwards. Despite its decline, Wilmer remained relatively steady with around 70-100 births annually from the 1960s until the early 2000s, when it began to increase again, reaching over 100 births per year since 2007.