Wilfried

Wilfried is a masculine given name of Germanic origin. It is the German form of the English name Wilfrid (also spelled Wilfrith) and is built from the elements wil, meaning will or desire, and friþ, meaning peace. The name is commonly understood as conveying a meaning such as “resolute protector” or “will for peace.” Variants include Wilfrid and Wilfrith in English, while Wilfried is standard in German and Dutch. Diminutives and affectionate forms include Willy.

The name is most common in German-speaking countries and parts of Central Europe, including the Netherlands and Belgium, where it has historical usage in Christian and secular contexts. It appears in various cultural and linguistic settings and is sometimes chosen by families with Germanic or Dutch heritage. While less frequent in English-speaking countries, Wilfried is still recognized in communities with ties to those languages.

Notable people named Wilfried include Wilfried Bony, an Ivorian professional footballer; Wilfried Zaha, an English-Ivorian professional footballer; and Wilfried Martens, a Belgian politician and longtime leader of the European People's Party. The name is also encountered in historical and contemporary contexts beyond these figures, reflecting its enduring presence in Germanic-language naming traditions.