Wilkes

“From the Old English name Wilka, meaning 'will' or 'desire'.” — Associated with notable historical figures

American origin · Boy name

♂ 97% boys♀ 3% girls

#5049US 2023

20Births / yr

↑Rising

216All-time births

📅 Since 191600

How to pronounce Wilkes

WILKS

/ˈwɪlks/ · stress on WILKS · 1 syllable

“From the Old English name Wilka, meaning 'will' or 'desire'.”

Associated with notable historical figures · American origin

What does Wilkes mean and where does it come from?

Wilkes is a surname that has transitioned into a given name. It is believed to have Old English roots and has been used predominantly in the United States as a first name. The name may also be associated with notable historical figures, such as John Wilkes Booth, an infamous actor and assassin of Pr

Cultural significance

Wilkes has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in American-speaking communities, where it reflects values of from the old english name wilka, meaning 'will' or 'desire'..

Peak popularity

Reached #3419 in 1923 — currently #5049 in the US.

🌿

How else can you spell Wilkes?

Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive

Wilks

Spelling variant

What middle names flow best with Wilkes?

Wilkes works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Wilkes Grace

How popular is Wilkes right now?

Rising fast — up 568 spots — currently #5049 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1955–2023#5049 · Top 3.7%

1955

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#5049	20	▲ up 568 · +18% births
2022	#5617	17	▼ down 850 · -19% births
2021	#4767	21	▲ up 1221 · +50% births
2020	#5988	14	▲ up 2840 · +75% births
2015	#8828	8	▼ down 4679 · +60% births
1955	#4149	5	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Wilkes

Best Year1955Rank #4149

Peak Count21

Average Rank#5733

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1955 - 20236 years

The story of Wilkes

Wilkes entered American naming records in 1916 and has been in use for over 108 years. With 216 total births recorded, Wilkes remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #4149 in 1955, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #5049 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Wilkes in 1923:

John Robert William James Charles

Wilkes by decade

Wilkes peaked in the 1920s. See all 1920s names →

Decade	Births
1910s	12
1920s	21
1940s	11
1950s	5
1970s	5
2000s	23
2010s ★	125
2020s	14

💎Wilkes has only 216 total recorded births since 1916 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Wilkes?

Common

WilWiIlkes

What names sound and feel like Wilkes?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Wilkes also consider these

Willes

England · from the spring

Wilder

American · referring to 'wild'

Wilsey

American · of uncertain origin;

Arabic · A Arabic name

Winter

American · the coldest season

Niles

American · from the valley

Common questions about the name Wilkes

What does the name Wilkes mean?

Wilkes means "From the Old English name Wilka, meaning 'will' or 'desire'." — a name rooted in American tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Wilkes?

Wilkes is currently a distinctive and less common name as a boy name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Wilkes have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Wilkes?

Wilkes originates from American tradition. American names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Wilkes?

Wilkes is a one-syllable name pronounced W IH1 L K S. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

How does Wilkes sound with different last names?

As a one-syllable name, Wilkes flows best with last names of two or three syllables. Avoid last names ending in the same sound as Wilkes ends, as this can create an unwanted rhyme. Test by saying the full name out loud several times.