The Baby Name Wizard

Reader Contributions

Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Wilson!

Comments and insights on the name Wilson: | Edit

Who can forget Tom Hanks's ball-friend in "Castaway"?

Personal experiences with the name Wilson: | Edit

My DEAR cat is called Wilson and he's a piece of orange love!!!♥♥♥

Knew a girl who went by Wilson.

Nicknames for Wilson: | Edit

Will

Meanings and history of the name Wilson: | Edit

English origin. Means "Son of William"

In the reign of Edward III, surnames were created due to poll taxes. Wilson is one of those surnames that developed out of necessity much like other surnames ending with 'son'.

Famous real-life people named Wilson: | Edit

Woodrow Wilson - 28th President of the U.S.
Bertha Wilson - 1st woman Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada
Thomas E. Wilson - Wilson Sporting Goods was named for him
August Wilson - American playwright
Wilson Ramos, Venezuelan Major League Baseball catcher for the Washington Nationals.
Wilson Francisco Alves, Brazilian footballer and coach.
Wilson Pickett, American R&B singer and songwriter.
Wilson Álvarez, former Major League Baseball pitcher.
Wilson Cruz, American actor.

Wilson in song, story & screen: | Edit

Wilson the volleyball, personified friend in Tom Hanks' film Castaway.
Dr. James Wilson, fictional character portrayed by Robert Sean Leonard on the medical drama House.
Wilson Wilson, Jr., fictional character on the TV series Home Improvement.