Willy
Willy is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Resolute protector, desiring protection.
Origin and history
Willy originated as a diminutive of William, derived from Germanic elements meaning 'will' or 'desire' and 'helmet' or 'protection'. While historically used as a nickname, it also appears as an independent given name in the United States. It carries a friendly, vintage, and approachable feel.
Popularity in the United States
3,937 babies in the United States have been named Willy since 1880. It ranks #2025 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1757.
States where it is most popular
- CA (44.7 %)
- NY (27 %)
- TX (15.7 %)
- FL (7.1 %)
- AL (1.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 5 |
| 1890-1900 | 7 |
| 1900-1910 | 21 |
| 1910-1920 | 115 |
| 1920-1930 | 196 |
| 1930-1940 | 243 |
| 1940-1950 | 282 |
| 1950-1960 | 326 |
| 1960-1970 | 420 |
| 1970-1980 | 379 |
| 1980-1990 | 383 |
| 1990-2000 | 535 |
| 2000-2010 | 503 |
| 2010-2019 | 352 |
| 2020-2029 | 170 |
Famous people named Willy
- Willy Mays: baseball player, athlete
- Willy DeVille: musician, singer
- Willy Hernangómez: basketball player, athlete
Fun facts
- Willy developed as a pet form of William before becoming an officially registered given name.
- Willy Loman is the famous tragic protagonist of Arthur Miller's classic 1949 play, Death of a Salesman.