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Home › Baby Names Directory › Wille

Wille

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Wille

Pronounced WIL-ee /ˈwɪl.i/Medium

Meaning: Wille is a pet form of William, given as a first name in its own right. William comes from the Germanic Willahelm, joining wil ('will, desire') with helm ('helmet, protection'). Wille is also a stand-alone name in Sweden and parts of Germany.Low

In 30 seconds: Wille is a short form of William, from Germanic for 'will' and 'protection.' It stayed rare, peaking in the late nineteen-twenties (said WIL-ee).
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Origin LowGermanic, English
MeaningWille is a pet form of William, given as a first name in its own right. William comes from the Germanic Willahelm, joining wil ('will, desire') with helm ('helmet, protection'). Wille is also a stand-alone name in Sweden and parts of Germany.
U.S. rank (1979)#7049 ↘ Falling
1979 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1929
Total births (all-time)≈ 366

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192919071979

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Wille is a diminutive of William, the great Norman-brought name built from the Germanic elements for 'will' and 'helmet' or 'protection.' Given on its own, it works much like Willie or Willy, though the -e ending points to Swedish and German usage as well. Its meaning is inherited whole from William.

Wille was never common in the United States, given to only about twenty boys a year at its peak around 1929, and it faded steadily after mid-century. A boy named Wille then would be nearing a hundred today.

Did you know? In Scandinavia Wille is a friendly nickname for Wilhelm or Vilhelm that many families give as a full name, which is one route it reached American records.
Overall data confidence 40%
References - Wille — Short form of William; also Swedish/German given name

Variations

WillieWillyWill

Nicknames

WillWil

Famous Bearers

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If you like Wille…

Willie— a like short form of William
Willy— a close cousin in sound and use
Willis— a similar William-rooted boy's name
Wiley— a like vintage two-beat name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Wille mean?

It is a short form of William, from Germanic words for 'will' and 'helmet' or 'protection.'

How do you pronounce Wille?

It is said WIL-ee /ˈwɪl.i/, two syllables with the stress on the first.

Is Wille a boy or girl name?

Wille is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Wille?

It has always been rare, given to only about twenty boys a year at its peak in the late nineteen-twenties.

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