Wilkins is a unique and distinctive given name of English origin. The name Wilkins is derived from the Old English personal name Wilkin, which is composed of the elements "wil" meaning "will" or "desire", and "-kin", a suffix that denotes kinship or family relationship.
The name Wilkins has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One of the most famous bearers of this name was John Wilkins (1614-1672), an English scholar and theologian who played a significant role in the early development of the scientific method. He was also known for his work on creating a universal language, which he believed would facilitate international communication.
Another notable figure with the surname Wilkins was Thomas Wilkins (1713-1778), a British explorer and naturalist who traveled extensively throughout the Pacific Ocean and contributed to the fields of botany and zoology. His collection of specimens and notes from his voyages are still preserved in museums today.
Despite its historical significance, the name Wilkins has never been particularly common. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, the name Wilkins has only appeared on the list of most popular baby names a handful of times since records began in 1879. In fact, it was not until the year 2000 that the name Wilkins first appeared on the charts, at number 6,549 for boys.
Today, the name Wilkins remains relatively rare, but its unique sound and historical associations make it a memorable choice for parents looking for something distinctive for their child. Its meaning of "will" or "desire" could also be seen as a fitting namesake for someone with ambitious goals or a strong sense of purpose. Overall, Wilkins is a name that combines the appeal of rarity with the weight of history and the power of meaningful symbolism.
The statistics provided show the annual occurrences of the name Wilkins in the United States from 1913 to 2022. Over this period, there were a total of 286 births with the name Wilkins.
The name's popularity fluctuated over time. The earliest peak occurred in 1920 with nine births. After that, the number of births with the name Wilkins stabilized around five per year until the late 1970s and early 1980s when it began to increase again.
In the 1980s and 1990s, there were several years where the number of births with the name Wilkins was notably higher than usual. For instance, in 1982, there were twelve births, and in 1991, fourteen babies were named Wilkins.
After the year 2000, the popularity of the name Wilkins seemed to decrease again, hovering around five to ten births per year until a notable spike in 2018 with ten births. The most recent data from 2022 shows that there were five births with the name Wilkins.
Overall, while the name Wilkins has not been consistently popular throughout history, it has had several periods of higher usage and remains present in American naming trends today.