How Many People Are Named Wilson?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Wilson

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 4,855 living people in the United States currently have the first name Wilson. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 5,657 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #487 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~4,855CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)5,657Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#487U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year2000 (102 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~4,855
Historical Births (SSA)
5,657
All-Time Rank
#487
Historical Peak
2000

Key Insights for Wilson

Estimated Living Bearers
~4,855 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#487
Common First Name (Top 500)
Historical Peak Year
2000
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Male
100% Male · 0% Female
Largest Estimated Population
California
~607 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Wilson

Living Population Model
~4,855

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
5,657

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
3,324

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
33.7 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
2000

Highest annual total: 102 registrations in 2000.

Recent 10-Year Trend
stable (-7%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Wilson has maintained a consistent, stable registration level across recent 2015–2024 birth cohorts.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Wilson (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 2000 (~102 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
201079790
201177770
201275750
201373730
201472720
201571710
201669690
201768680
201867670
201966660
202065650
202164640
202263630
202363630
202462620

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
18/100
1950s
38/100
1960s
65/100
1970s
88/100
1980s
89/100
1990s
68/100
2000s
98/100
2010s
78/100
2020s
34/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historical U.S. registration data shows Wilson is overwhelmingly recorded as a masculine first name (100% male births).

Male: 100% (~5,657 births)Female: 0% (~0 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Wilson

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Wilson in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Wilson appeared 3,324 times, ranking #567 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
3,324 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#567
Census Sex Breakdown
92% M · 8% F

Where Is the Name Wilson Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~607 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~60712.5%
Texas (TX)~4479.2%
Florida (FL)~3306.8%
New York (NY)~2966.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~1944%
Illinois (IL)~1893.9%
Ohio (OH)~1753.6%
Georgia (GA)~1603.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 4,855 people named Wilson are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 33.7 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Wilson: 33.7 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

Explore all variants →

Frequently Asked Questions About Wilson

How many people in the U.S. are named Wilson?

Approximately 4,855 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Wilson. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 5,657 birth applications for Wilson between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Wilson?

Wilson ranks #487 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This places Wilson comfortably within the top 500 most widely recognized American names.

When was the name Wilson most popular in America?

The name Wilson reached its peak historical popularity in 2000, when 102 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Wilson?

Wilson has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Wilson?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historical U.S. registration data shows Wilson is overwhelmingly recorded as a masculine first name (100% male births).

Where is the name Wilson most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Wilson resides in California, with approximately 607 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Wilson in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Wilson appeared 3,324 times in census returns, ranking #567 in official 2020 returns.

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