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Willis
Pronounced WIHL-ihs /ˈwɪl.ɪs/Medium
Meaning: Will helmetMedium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
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
It pairs 'will,' meaning desire or resolve, with 'helmet,' the protective core that also sits inside William. As a name it reads as a surname-style form of that older William family. The meaning carries an idea of determined protection.
Real bearers stretch from sport to science: Willis Reed was a Hall of Fame New York Knicks basketball player, and Willis Lamb was an American physicist who won the 1955 Nobel Prize in Physics.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Willis Reed (1942–2023)American Hall of Fame New York Knicks basketball player.
- ★Willis Lamb (1913–2008)American physicist, 1955 Nobel Prize in Physics.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Willis mean?
Willis is usually explained as meaning 'will helmet' and is most often linked with English tradition.
How do you pronounce Willis?
It's commonly said WIHL-ihs /ˈwɪl.ɪs/.
Is Willis a boy or girl name?
In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Willis is used as a boy name.
How popular is Willis?
In 2024, Willis ranked #2701 in the U.S. for boys, with 49 births recorded.