Wilson

Wilson is an English first name for men that has its origin in an Old English surname. It means "the son of Will" or "the son of William."

What does the name Wilson mean?

Wilson is a masculine first name of English origin, based on an Old English surname. The meaning is "the son of Will" or "the son of William." The name Will is a short form of William. The roots of the name lie in the Old High German words willio, meaning "the will" or "the determination," and helm, meaning "the helmet," "the covering," or "the protection," combined with the English word son for "son." In the English-speaking world, the name has been used since the 19th century, but in Germany, it has only gained popularity since the 1990s.

Where does the name Wilson come from?

The first name Wilson has Old English roots and means "the son of William."

How do you pronounce Wilson?

The pronunciation of Wilson is clear and two-syllable. In German, the name is usually pronounced as "WIL-sen" [ˈvɪlsn̩], starting with a short, bright I sound that gives the name a compact and factual note. The soft "w" subtly frames the sound, while the ending "-son" gently fades with a familiar, nasal sound. This makes Wilson appear stable and international – sober, modern, and at the same time tradition-conscious.

When is the name day of Wilson?

The name day for Wilson falls on October 10.

Popularity

In Germany, the first name Wilson enjoys great popularity. Currently, it ranks 2,655th on the list of the most common masculine first names. Its best placement was in 2014, when it reached 1,495th place. In the last ten years, the name has been given about 70 times, placing it 3,010th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 2,661st.

Nicknames & pet names

Wil / Will / Willi / Willy / Wilsi

Famous people

• Henry Wilson Allen (writer from the USA)
• Joseph Wilson Swan (English physicist)
• Paul Wilson Brand (English doctor)
• Robert John Wilson Douglas (geologist from Canada)
• Roger Wilson Dennis (American artist)
• William Wilson Naismith (English mountaineer)
• William Wilson Talcott (American football player)
• Wilson Antonio (Brazilian football player)
• Wilson Aparecido Xavier Junior (football player from Brazil)
• Wilson Briggs (English football player)
• Wilson Bugembe (musician from Uganda)
• Wilson Davyes (handball player from Portugal)
• Wilson de Oliveira (jazz musician from Uruguay)
• Wilson Edelber Graniolatti Cha (Uruguayan football player)
• Wilson Gonzalez Ochsenknecht (actor)
• Wilson Grosset (football player from Reunion)
• Wilson Heriberto Mendez (Paraguayan football player)
• Wilson Ivan Carabali Gonzales (Ecuadorian football player)
• Wilson Jermaine Heredia (American actor)
• Wilson Kinyonga (Kenyan musician)