Willis
Willis is of English and German origin, derived from "William," meaning "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior." It began as a medieval surname before transitioning into use as a given name, carrying a sense of determination and strength.
Current Popularity
#2567 for boys
in the United States (2025)
Popularity over time
Good to Know
- •Easy to spell and pronounce in English-speaking countries
- •Has a friendly, approachable sound while maintaining traditional strength
- •Works well across all ages from childhood to adulthood
- •Less common than William but carries the same meaning
Similar Names
Famous People
Willis Reed
Basketball Hall of Famer
Bruce Willis
Actor
Willis Carrier
Inventor of modern air conditioning
Willis Earl Beal
Musician and visual artist
Statistics
52,336
Total births since 1880
1924
Peak year
Discovery
Keep browsing
Rising now
Browse trending names
Names that climbed the most between 2020 and 2025.
Always popular
Explore timeless classics
Names that have sat in the top 50 for decades.
For this gender
See all-time favorites
The most common names since 1880, by total births.
Stories
Read famous-name profiles
How well-known people changed the names they carried.
Guides
Browse recent articles
Recent articles on naming trends.