Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Wylie
UnisexScottish, English· “from a surname; uncertain”
- Meaning
- from a surname; uncertain (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Scottish, English
- Pronunciation
- WY-lee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,182
- US babies 2025
- 175
- Best rank
- #460 (1887)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Wylie
Wylie is often said to mean “from a surname; uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Scottish and English roots.
Wylie is an English and Scottish surname whose origin is uncertain. It may come from places near the River Wylye in Wiltshire, or from a nickname connected to the word wily, meaning crafty, though neither explanation is proven for every family. As a given name, Wylie is used for both boys and girls and has a playful, spirited sound. Many people think of the cartoon character Wile E. Coyote, though the spelling differs. Wylie feels friendly and adventurous, with a vintage-surname charm.
Other spellings with the same sound: Wiley.
Popularity over time
Wylie has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 58 different years. Its best national rank was #460 in 1887, and the most babies received it in 2025, when 175 were named Wylie. In 2025, 175 babies were named Wylie, and it ranked #1,182 nationally. That is 133% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #864 in 1920, #1,051 in 1950, #1,725 in 1980, #2,221 in 2000, #1,939 in 2010, and #1,182 in 2025. Of the 6,073 US boys named Wylie since records began, 14% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 808 babies.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Rumi, Shia, Navi, Cove, and Emrys.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Wylie ranked highest in Montana, Oklahoma, and Kentucky.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | #292 | 5 |
| Oklahoma | #310 | 16 |
| Kentucky | #568 | 8 |
| Tennessee | #637 | 12 |
| South Carolina | #740 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Wylie is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 25% of US babies named Wylie were girls and 75% were boys.
Wylie is usually pronounced WY-lee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with W and ends in “-ie”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Wiley.
Middle names for Wylie
A few middle names that flow with Wylie: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Wylie
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Lists that include Wylie
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Wylie mean?
Wylie is often said to mean “from a surname; uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Scottish and English roots.
What is the origin of the name Wylie?
Wylie has Scottish and English roots. Wylie is an English and Scottish surname whose origin is uncertain.
Is Wylie a popular name?
Not especially. Wylie ranked #1,182 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Wylie a boy or girl name?
Wylie is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 25% of US babies named Wylie were girls and 75% were boys.
How do you pronounce Wylie?
Wylie is usually pronounced WY-lee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings