Wilburn

Updated: July 1, 2022 by MomsWhoThink Staff

Wilburn isn't currently too popular in the United States, but we expect that to change over the next few years. First of all, surnames as given names continue to be a big trend for both boys and girls. Second, Wilburn was fairly popular during the first half of the 20th century, so it has some old-fashioned “grandpa name” appeal. After all, it seems like everything old is new again these days. And finally, William is the sixth-most popular name in the country as of 2021, so Wilburn offers a unique alternative that's not too out there but isn't overused either.

Meaning of the name Wilburn:

German: Bright will
English: Someone from Welbourn

Origin of the name Wilburn:

There is some debate over the origin of Wilburn. Some say it's derived from the German name Wilbert, which means “bright will.” Others believe it started out as a geographical surname meaning “someone from Welbourn,” a village in Lincolnshire County in England.

Symbolism of the name Wilburn:

Wilburn doesn't offer much in the way of symbolism. If you like the German origin story, you may choose that name in hopes that your new baby has a bright future ahead and a strong will. It could also be a name chosen to honor your English roots, particularly if you're from the Lincolnshire area.

Style of the name Wilburn:

Surname as a given name, grandpa name, traditional

Gender of the name Wilburn:

Wilburn is a boy's name.

Pronunciation of the name Wilburn:

WILL-burn

Number of syllables in the name Wilburn:

Two

Emotion evoked from the name Wilburn:

The baby name Wilburn evokes images of someone who is calm and balanced even in sticky situations.

Alternative spellings for the name Wilburn:

Willburn
Wilborn
Wilbern
Wilborne

Nicknames for the name Wilburn:

Wil
Will
Willie
Wilbur
Bernie

Popularity of the name Wilburn:

According to the Social Security Administration, Wilburn was a top 1,000 baby name for boys in the United States on and off up until 1964. It was most popular in 1926 when it ranked at number 318. It last ranked at number 318 in 1964.