Willie
Willie is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Resolute protector or strong-willed warrior.
Origin and history
Willie originated as a diminutive of William, which comes from the Germanic roots for 'will' or 'desire' and 'helmet' or 'protection'. Historically highly popular in the United States, it served as a extremely common given name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, it remains a familiar classic name with a vintage, friendly charm.
Popularity in the United States
450,188 babies in the United States have been named Willie since 1880. It ranks #71 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1089.
States where it is most popular
- GA (14.7 %)
- MS (11.9 %)
- AL (11.6 %)
- SC (8.1 %)
- TX (7.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 5,906 |
| 1890-1900 | 9,849 |
| 1900-1910 | 17,746 |
| 1910-1920 | 47,690 |
| 1920-1930 | 67,993 |
| 1930-1940 | 62,466 |
| 1940-1950 | 72,422 |
| 1950-1960 | 66,460 |
| 1960-1970 | 39,812 |
| 1970-1980 | 23,966 |
| 1980-1990 | 16,892 |
| 1990-2000 | 9,716 |
| 2000-2010 | 5,157 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,132 |
| 2020-2029 | 981 |
Famous people named Willie
- Willie Nelson: Musician, Singer
- Willie Mays: Baseball Player, Athlete
- Willie Stargell: Baseball Player, Athlete
Fun facts
- Willie ranked consistently among the top 15 most popular boy names in the United States during the late 1800s.
- Although originally a pet form of William, Willie quickly established itself as a fully independent legal name.