Wilbur
Meaning of Wilbur
The name Wilbur, pronounced as WIL-buh (/ˈwɪl.bə/), is a classic male name of English origin. It is derived from the Old English elements "wil," meaning "will" or "desire," and "burg," meaning "fortress." This gives the name the connotation of a resolute protector or stronghold. Wilbur gained literary fame through E.B. White's beloved children's book, *Charlotte's Web*, where Wilbur is the endearing pig who forms an unlikely friendship with a spider named Charlotte. The name has seen varying popularity in the United States over the years, peaking in the early 20th century but maintaining a steady presence even into recent times. Variations of this traditional name include Will and Wilbert, offering modern parents options that retain its timeless charm while allowing for personal customization.
Pronunciation
British English
- Pronunced as WIL-buh (/ˈwɪl.bə/)
American English
- Pronunced as WIL-bur (/ˈwɪl.bər/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Wilbur
| Wilbur Addison Smith was a British-South African novelist known for his historical fiction set in Southern Africa over four centuries. |
| Wilbur Soot, also known as William Patrick Spencer Gold, is a well-known English Twitch streamer, YouTuber, and musician, who gained fame through his work with the comedy YouTube channel SootHouse and later as the co-founder of the indie rock band Lovejoy. |
| Wilbur Joseph Cohen was an influential American social scientist and civil servant who played a key role in shaping the American welfare state and the creation of New Deal and Great Society programs. |
| Warren Wilbur Shaw was an American racing driver and the second three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, also known for his presidency at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway until his passing in 1954. |
| Wilbur Crane Eveland - Wilbur Crane "Bill" Eveland III was a World War II veteran, a CIA station chief, and critic of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, known for his book "Ropes of Sand" detailing the CIA's failures in the region during the Cold War. |
| Wilbur Stark was a prominent American writer and producer in film, television, and radio. |
| Wilbur Norman Christiansen - Wilbur Norman "Chris" Christiansen was a pioneering Australian radio astronomer and electrical engineer. |
| Wilbur Lucius Cross was an American literary critic and the 71st governor of Connecticut from 1931 to 1939. |
| Wilbur Wong Yan Choy was the first Asian American bishop in the United Methodist Church, elected in 1972. |
| Wilbur Davenport - Wilbur B. Davenport Jr. was a renowned professor emeritus of communication science and engineering at MIT, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. |
| Wilbur F. Stone Sr. was a versatile individual who served as a teacher, lawyer, newspaper editor, miner, elected official, historian, and associate justice of the Colorado Supreme Court, known for compiling the four-volume A History of Colorado. |
| Wilbur Henry Siebert was a renowned American educator and historian. |
| Wilbur Leonard Lamoreaux was a successful international motorcycle speedway rider who reached three Speedway World Championship finals, always finishing in the top five. |
| Wilbur B. Rayton served as president of the Optical Society of America from 1933 to 1934. |
| Wilbur McKee White was an American politician and World War I veteran who served as a U.S. Representative from Ohio from 1931 to 1933. |
