Find out how popular the first name Will has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Will by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Will is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Will being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 185 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Will.

The history of the first name Will

The name Will is a masculine given name derived from the Old German name Willahelm, which consists of two elements: "wil" meaning will or desire, and "helm" meaning protection or helmet. This name became popular in England after the Norman Conquest in 1066, as a variation of the French name Guillaume.

In the Middle Ages, Will was a common shortened form of William, which was one of the most popular names among the Norman nobility. The name gained further prominence with the reign of William the Conqueror, who ruled England from 1066 to 1087.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Will can be found in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, which mentions a figure named Will who was the son of King Edward the Elder in the 10th century. The name also appears in several works of literature from the Middle Ages, such as Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Will. One of the most famous was William Shakespeare, the renowned English playwright and poet born in 1564, who was often referred to as Will. Another prominent figure was Will Rogers, an American cowboy, humorist, and social commentator, who lived from 1879 to 1935.

In the world of art, Will Barnet was an American painter and printmaker known for his abstract works, who lived from 1911 to 2012. Will Eisner, born in 1917 and died in 2005, was an American cartoonist and writer who is considered a pioneer of the graphic novel form.

Will Keith Kellogg, born in 1860 and died in 1951, was an American industrialist and founder of the Kellogg Company, known for its popular breakfast cereals. He was instrumental in the development of the dry cereal industry.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have borne the name Will throughout history, reflecting its enduring popularity and significance across various cultures and time periods.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Will was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Will, please contact us.

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