How Many People Are Named Wilson?
Complete statistics for the name Wilson: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Wilson is an English surname-turned-first-name meaning 'son of Will,' with roots in medieval Britain. Today about 27,074 people in the US carry it as a first name, making it genuinely rare at 1 in 12,189 Americans. Its old-school charm peaked over a century ago and it's never really come back, which makes it feel like a name with serious history behind it.
📖 Meaning & Origin
The number 11 is considered a master number in numerology, associated with intuition, spiritual insight, and a heightened sense of purpose. People connected to 11 are thought to be idealistic and inspiring, often feeling a pull toward something bigger than everyday life.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 65All 48,541 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1918Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Slowly declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Wilson Through the Generations
Wilson tells a pretty clear story: it belongs to an older generation and it knows it. The peak came way back in 1918 with 1,381 births in a single year, and it's been slowly declining ever since. Of the roughly 27,074 living Wilsons in the US today, a striking 55 percent are over 60, and the average age sits at 65. That gap between all-time births of 48,541 and the living count of 27,074 makes sense given how top-heavy the age distribution is. Only about 12,376 Wilsons are under 30, compared to 26,940 over 60. So for every young Wilson you meet, there are roughly two older ones. The name never caught a modern revival wave the way some classic names have, and the slow decline suggests it probably won't anytime soon. It's a name that carries real vintage weight.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Wilson
Wilson is a male first name. Notable people with the name include:…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Wilson's English roots
📄 About the Name Wilson
How Many People Have the Name Wilson?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 777,275 people in the United States currently share the name Wilson. That works out to roughly 1 in every 426 Americans, placing it in the Common category.
Is Wilson a Common or Rare Name?
Wilson is classified as Common. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Wilson Mean?
Wilson means "Son of Will" and comes from English origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 11.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Wilson in SSA data, approximately 99% are male and 1% are female.
When Was Wilson Most Popular?
The name Wilson reached peak popularity in 1918, with 1,381 babies registered that year. Current trend: Slowly declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Wilson?
Approximately 777,275 people named Wilson live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 777,275. That works out to roughly 1 in 426 Americans.
Is Wilson a rare name?
Wilson is classified as Common in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 426 Americans has this name.
What does the name Wilson mean?
Wilson means "Son of Will" and comes from English origins.
Is Wilson more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 99% of people named Wilson are male and 1% are female.
When was Wilson most popular?
Wilson peaked in 1918 with 1,381 births that year. Current trend: Slowly declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.