Willis Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationWILL-iss / /ˈwɪlɪs/English; German
Meaning
English: resolute protector; German: son of Will
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Willis is derived from the Old Germanic name Wilhelm, which means 'will' or 'desire' and 'helmet' or 'protection.' It became popular in England during the Middle Ages. The name has been used as both a surname and a given name, reflecting its historical roots in both English and German cultures.
Trend Summary
The name Willis has seen a decline in popularity in the United States over the past few decades.
Similar Names
Variants
- Will
- Willy
International Variants
- Guillermo (Spanish)
- Wilhelm (German)
Famous people named Willis
Willis Carrier was an American engineer known for inventing modern air conditioning.
Willis Reed was a professional basketball player and coach, famous for his time with the New York Knicks.
Willis McGahee is a former American football running back who played in the NFL.
Willis Tower is a skyscraper in Chicago, originally known as the Sears Tower.
Fictional characters named Willis
Willis Taylor is a character from the television show 'Diff’rent Strokes,' known for his role as a caring older brother.
Willis the dog is a character in the animated series 'The Amazing World of Gumball,' known for his humorous antics.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Willis was first seen in the United States in 1880. Willis has ranked as high as #306 nationally, which occurred in 1924, and has been most popular in North Carolina, Ohio, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Willis has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Willis (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| OH | 8 | |
| TX | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880 | 166 |
| 1881 | 142 |
| 1882 | 143 |
| 1883 | 131 |
| 1884 | 151 |
| 1885 | 133 |
| 1886 | 150 |
| 1887 | 113 |
| 1888 | 135 |
| 1889 | 124 |
| 1890 | 129 |
| 1891 | 118 |
| 1892 | 143 |
| 1893 | 149 |
| 1894 | 133 |
| 1895 | 135 |
| 1896 | 145 |
| 1897 | 132 |
| 1898 | 121 |
| 1899 | 126 |
| 1900 | 169 |
| 1901 | 106 |
| 1902 | 144 |
| 1903 | 133 |
| 1904 | 136 |
| 1905 | 136 |
| 1906 | 148 |
| 1907 | 146 |
| 1908 | 161 |
| 1909 | 189 |
| 1910 | 216 |
| 1911 | 233 |
| 1912 | 453 |
| 1913 | 573 |
| 1914 | 743 |
| 1915 | 950 |
| 1916 | 990 |
| 1917 | 954 |
| 1918 | 1,091 |
| 1919 | 1,136 |
| 1920 | 1,197 |
| 1921 | 1,209 |
| 1922 | 1,250 |
| 1923 | 1,183 |
| 1924 | 1,261 |
| 1925 | 1,198 |
| 1926 | 1,233 |
| 1927 | 1,058 |
| 1928 | 1,085 |
| 1929 | 1,030 |
| 1930 | 965 |
| 1931 | 931 |
| 1932 | 911 |
| 1933 | 812 |
| 1934 | 867 |
| 1935 | 789 |
| 1936 | 768 |
| 1937 | 724 |
| 1938 | 731 |
| 1939 | 693 |
| 1940 | 609 |
| 1941 | 685 |
| 1942 | 666 |
| 1943 | 752 |
| 1944 | 623 |
| 1945 | 579 |
| 1946 | 584 |
| 1947 | 600 |
| 1948 | 584 |
| 1949 | 479 |
| 1950 | 476 |
| 1951 | 504 |
| 1952 | 513 |
| 1953 | 480 |
| 1954 | 447 |
| 1955 | 452 |
| 1956 | 444 |
| 1957 | 447 |
| 1958 | 416 |
| 1959 | 407 |
| 1960 | 414 |
| 1961 | 357 |
| 1962 | 374 |
| 1963 | 340 |
| 1964 | 324 |
| 1965 | 300 |
| 1966 | 254 |
| 1967 | 238 |
| 1968 | 230 |
| 1969 | 227 |
| 1970 | 260 |
| 1971 | 253 |
| 1972 | 245 |
| 1973 | 193 |
| 1974 | 199 |
| 1975 | 203 |
| 1976 | 181 |
| 1977 | 232 |
| 1978 | 214 |
| 1979 | 233 |
| 1980 | 228 |
| 1981 | 199 |
| 1982 | 227 |
| 1983 | 203 |
| 1984 | 186 |
| 1985 | 186 |
| 1986 | 176 |
| 1987 | 169 |
| 1988 | 183 |
| 1989 | 166 |
| 1990 | 159 |
| 1991 | 163 |
| 1992 | 126 |
| 1993 | 127 |
| 1994 | 119 |
| 1995 | 115 |
| 1996 | 113 |
| 1997 | 95 |
| 1998 | 106 |
| 1999 | 109 |
| 2000 | 107 |
| 2001 | 82 |
| 2002 | 70 |
| 2003 | 78 |
| 2004 | 65 |
| 2005 | 66 |
| 2006 | 79 |
| 2007 | 80 |
| 2008 | 59 |
| 2009 | 66 |
| 2010 | 52 |
| 2011 | 74 |
| 2012 | 78 |
| 2013 | 75 |
| 2014 | 81 |
| 2015 | 74 |
| 2016 | 70 |
| 2017 | 51 |
| 2018 | 55 |
| 2019 | 50 |
| 2020 | 62 |
| 2021 | 62 |
| 2022 | 44 |
| 2023 | 60 |
| 2024 | 49 |