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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Will + peace — roughly 'one who desires peace'
- Origin
- Old English/Germanic
- Gender
- Used for both boys and girls
- Pronunciation
- WIL-frid
Wilfred is an Old English and Germanic name built from two elements, will and peace, giving it a meaning close to 'one who desires peace.' It's a name with real historical weight behind it, not a modern invention. If you're drawn to names with a clear, literal meaning rather than a trendy sound, Wilfred fits that bill.
Meaning & Origin of Wilfred
Meaning: Will + peace — roughly 'one who desires peace'.
Origin: Old English/Germanic.
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Wilfred
WIL-fridIPA /ˈwɪlfrɪd/
Popularity of Wilfred
Wilfred hit its high point in 1917, when it ranked #164 nationally with 772 babies given the name; by 2024 it had fallen to #5038, with just 20 babies recorded, based on Social Security data spanning 1880-2024.
Names Like Wilfred
These names have followed a similar path to Wilfred in U.S. popularity over the years.
FAQ
What does the name Wilfred mean?
Will + peace — roughly ‘one who desires peace’. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Wilfred?
Wilfred is pronounced WIL-frid (IPA: /ˈwɪlfrɪd/).
Is Wilfred a popular name right now?
Wilfred peaked at #164 in 1917 and is ranked #5038 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Wilfred Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Wilfred, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Wilfred? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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