Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Willis is an Old English name derived from 'Willa', meaning 'will' or 'desire', and is often linked to the name William, which signifies 'resolute protector'. It has evolved through various forms including Willa and Wilhelm, maintaining a consistent meaning related to strength and protection. The name does not have biblical significance but has historical roots in England. While it gained popularity in the Middle Ages, it is considered traditional in modern times. Variants include Will and Billy, and it is associated with notable figures such as Bruce Willis and Willis Reed.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈwɪlɪs/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Willis is derived from the Old English name 'Willa', which means 'will' or 'desire'. It is often considered a diminutive or derivative of William, which means 'resolute protector'.
Meaning
resolute protector
Language Evolution
Willa, Wilhelm, William, Willis
Historical Usage
Willis became popular in England during the Middle Ages and has remained in use as a first name and surname since then.
Variants & Derivatives
Will, Willie, Bill, Billy
Modern Popularity & Image
The name Willis is viewed as traditional and somewhat vintage, often associated with reliability and strength. It is less common as a first name today but remains known due to its use as a surname.
Famous People
Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower), Bruce Willis, Willis Reed
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,276 peak births in 1924
Geographic Spread
Popular across 48 US states, with strongest presence in Arkansas
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (4 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 4 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 141st of 7545 | 18,227 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 185th of 6773 | 14,220 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 350th of 7552 | 8,642 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 531st of 10718 | 3,690 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 760th of 16616 | 2,617 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1696th of 24088 | 1,266 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2269th of 23106 | 733 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1790th of 9107 | 382 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2162nd of 9204 | 282 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 4656th of 12526 | 136 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 19264th of 19264 | 5 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 27321st of 27321 | 5 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
8.83% 125th/1416 |
13.56% 187th/1379 |
5.07% 120th/2366 |
13.57% 155th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
11.38% 176th/1546 |
14.72% 229th/1556 |
6.97% 164th/2353 |
16.94% 262nd/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
15.63% 348th/2227 |
16.09% 391st/2430 |
10.34% 295th/2853 |
18.09% 502nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
18.25% 536th/2937 |
16.82% 586th/3483 |
12.54% 441st/3518 |
20.15% 815th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
20.87% 769th/3685 |
19.35% 866th/4475 |
13.05% 678th/5194 |
18.22% 1151st/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
32.56% 1492nd/4582 |
42.87% 2214th/5164 |
23.66% 1730th/7313 |
29.48% 2200th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
47.16% 1879th/3984 |
78.20% 3509th/4487 |
51.19% 3492nd/6822 |
47.13% 2958th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
88.93% 2104th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
79.05% 1860th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Arkansas across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 141st out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 185th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 350th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 531st out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 760th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1696th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2269th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1790th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2162nd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4656th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 19264th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 27321st out of 27321 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.