Willard
Willard: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈwɪləɹd/
Meaning and origin of Willard
Root meaning: “will”
- A male given name from Old English of mostly American usage. Partly transferred back from the surname.
Etymology
From Old English wil (“will”) + heard (“brave, strong”).
How popular is Willard?
Since 1880, 884 girls and 77,658 boys in the U.S. have been named Willard (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1055 in 1905. Its highest rank for boys was #58 in 1915. In 2025, 47 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Willard
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More English boy names
Sibling name ideas for Willard
Sister and brother names that share Willard's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Willard FAQ
What does the name Willard mean?
Willard traces back to a root meaning "will". A male given name from Old English of mostly American usage. Partly transferred back from the surname. From Old English wil (“will”) + heard (“brave, strong”).
What is the origin of the name Willard?
Willard is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name Willard?
Since 1880, 884 girls and 77,658 boys in the U.S. have been named Willard (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1055 in 1905. Its highest rank for boys was #58 in 1915. In 2025, 47 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Willard a boy or girl name?
Willard is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 884 girls and 77,658 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.