Find out how popular the first name Willia has been for the last 16 years (from 1974 to 1989) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Willia by gender

Based on the last 16 years of data, Willia is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 94% of people named Willia being male.

For the most recent data in 1989, there were 8 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Willia.

The history of the first name Willia

The name Willia is derived from the Old German word "wil," which means "will" or "desire." The name can be traced back to the 8th century and was initially popular in regions of present-day Germany and France.

The earliest known record of the name Willia appears in the Carolingian Chronicles, a historical record of the Frankish Empire during the reign of Charlemagne in the late 8th and early 9th centuries. It is mentioned as the name of a minor nobleman who served in Charlemagne's court.

In the 11th century, the name Willia gained prominence in England after the Norman Conquest in 1066. Several Norman nobles and knights who accompanied William the Conqueror bore the name or variations of it, such as Willian or Williame.

One of the earliest notable figures with the name Willia was Willia of Malmsbury, an English historian and monk who lived from around 1095 to 1143. He is best known for his influential work "Gesta Regum Anglorum" (Deeds of the English Kings), a chronicle of English history from the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons to his time.

During the Middle Ages, the name Willia was relatively common among the nobility and clergy in various parts of Europe. For instance, Willia of Auxerre was a 13th-century French philosopher and theologian who made significant contributions to the development of scholastic thought.

In the Renaissance period, Willia Shakespeare (1564-1616), the renowned English playwright and poet, is undoubtedly one of the most famous individuals to bear the name. His works, including plays like "Hamlet," "Macbeth," and "Romeo and Juliet," have had a profound impact on literature and drama worldwide.

Another notable figure with the name Willia was Willia Penn (1644-1718), the English Quaker leader and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania. He established Pennsylvania as a haven for religious freedom and played a crucial role in the early development of the American colonies.

During the Enlightenment era, Willia Wordsworth (1770-1850), the English Romantic poet, was a significant literary figure. His poems, such as "Tintern Abbey" and "Daffodils," celebrated the beauty of nature and the human experience, and he is considered one of the greatest poets in the English language.

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 Willia was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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