Willis
Willis is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Son of Will or resolute protector.
Origin and history
Willis is an English name derived from an old surname meaning son of Will or William. Historically well-established in the United States, it enjoyed significant popularity in the early to mid-20th century. Today, it serves as a classic, vintage choice with surname roots.
Popularity in the United States
52,336 babies in the United States have been named Willis since 1880. It ranks #496 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1597.
States where it is most popular
- TX (6.2 %)
- NC (5.5 %)
- OH (5.4 %)
- GA (5.2 %)
- PA (4.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 1,388 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,331 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,468 |
| 1910-1920 | 7,339 |
| 1920-1930 | 11,704 |
| 1930-1940 | 8,191 |
| 1940-1950 | 6,161 |
| 1950-1960 | 4,586 |
| 1960-1970 | 3,058 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,213 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,923 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,232 |
| 2000-2010 | 752 |
| 2010-2019 | 660 |
| 2020-2029 | 330 |
Famous people named Willis
- Willis Carrier: Engineer, Inventor
- Willis Reed: Basketball Player, Coach
Nicknames
Will, Willie
Fun facts
- Willis originated as a Middle English surname meaning 'son of Will'.
- The name was a top 200 name in the U.S. throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries.