Will
Will: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /wÉŠl/
Meaning and origin of Will
- A diminutive of the male given name William or, less often, other given names beginning with Wil-, such as Wilfred or Willard, from the Germanic languages; also used as a formal given name.
- A diminutive of the female given name Willow.
Etymology
Clipping of William or Willow, less often, other given names beginning with Wil-, such as Wilfred or Willard.
How popular is Will?
Since 1880, 658 girls and 45,952 boys in the U.S. have been named Will (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #737 in 1881. Its highest rank for boys was #25 in 1882. In 2025, 170 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Will
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
Sibling name ideas for Will
Names that peaked around the same time as Will and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Will FAQ
What does the name Will mean?
A diminutive of the male given name William or, less often, other given names beginning with Wil-, such as Wilfred or Willard, from the Germanic languages; also used as a formal given name. A diminutive of the female given name Willow. Clipping of William or Willow, less often, other given names beginning with Wil-, such as Wilfred or Willard.
How popular is the name Will?
Since 1880, 658 girls and 45,952 boys in the U.S. have been named Will (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #737 in 1881. Its highest rank for boys was #25 in 1882. In 2025, 170 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Will a boy or girl name?
Will is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 658 girls and 45,952 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880â2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.