Willard first name popularity, history and meaning

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

Meaning of Willard

Willard is a masculine given name of Old English origin meaning "resolute protector."

Popularity of Willard by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Willard is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 43 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Willard.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 43 0
2022 40 0
2021 27 0
2020 44 0
2019 46 0
2018 50 0
2017 55 0
2016 47 0
2015 44 0
2014 35 0
2013 31 0
2012 47 0
2011 35 0
2010 49 0
2009 40 0
2008 57 0
2007 48 0
2006 55 0
2005 60 0
2004 63 0
2003 59 0
2002 64 0
2001 61 0
2000 60 0
1999 59 0
1998 64 0
1997 66 0
1996 67 0
1995 83 0
1994 72 0
1993 76 0
1992 89 0
1991 81 0
1990 91 0
1989 113 0
1988 99 0
1987 117 0
1986 111 0
1985 105 0
1984 103 0
1983 128 0
1982 130 0
1981 136 0
1980 164 0
1979 171 0
1978 155 0
1977 172 0
1976 177 0
1975 229 0
1974 198 0

The history of the first name Willard

The given name Willard originates from the Germanic languages, deriving from the Old German words "wil" meaning "will" or "desire," and "hard" meaning "brave" or "hardy." It is believed to have emerged during the Middle Ages, around the 6th to 8th centuries.

The name Willard was initially prevalent in regions of modern-day Germany, the Netherlands, and parts of northern France. Variations of the spelling included Willhart, Willhardt, and Wilhart. Its use later spread to other parts of Europe and eventually to the British Isles.

One of the earliest known references to the name Willard can be found in the Domesday Book, a manuscript record of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name is listed as "Wilard" and is associated with landholdings in various counties.

In the 12th century, Willard de Ely was a prominent English clergyman who served as the Bishop of Ely from 1109 to 1131. He is noted for his involvement in the construction of the cathedral in Ely, Cambridgeshire.

During the Renaissance period, Willard was a relatively uncommon name, but it gained some prominence in the 16th century with Willard de Lorgues, a French nobleman and military commander who fought in the Italian Wars.

In the 17th century, Willard Sikes (1620-1672) was a notable English merchant and landowner in Massachusetts Bay Colony. He played a role in the early development of the town of Hartford, Connecticut.

Another notable figure was Willard Gibbs (1839-1903), an American scientist and mathematician who made significant contributions to the fields of thermodynamics and physical chemistry. He is considered one of the founders of modern chemical physics.

In the literary world, Willard Huntington Wright (1888-1939), better known by his pen name S.S. Van Dine, was an American art critic and author who wrote several popular detective novels featuring the fictional character Philo Vance.

Willard Van Orman Quine (1908-2000) was an influential American philosopher and logician who made important contributions to the fields of mathematical logic, set theory, and philosophy of language.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Willard, illustrating its enduring presence 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 Willard was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Willard first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 31, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/willard-meaning-and-history/.

"Willard first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/willard-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 31 October, 2024

Willard first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/willard-meaning-and-history/.

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