Willis

Pronunciation: [ w-IHL-ihs ]

Boy Name #2,686 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A sturdy vintage surname name meaning resolute protector

English American African-American

Vintage Strong Classic Bold

Meaning & Origin

"resolute protector"

Origin: Germanic

Language: English

"son of William"

Origin: Middle English

Language: English

The Story of Willis

Willis is an English surname that became a given name, derived from Will, a medieval short form of William. William itself comes from the Germanic elements wil (desire, will) and helm (helmet, protector), meaning resolute protector. Willis as a given name was common in 19th and early 20th century America, particularly in the American South, and has a strong tradition as a first name in African-American communities.

Willis peaked in popularity in the US in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It declined through the mid-century but has seen mild interest from parents seeking vintage, uncommon names. Bruce Willis gave the name pop culture recognition.

Willis carries a solid, dependable quality associated with the American working class and Southern heritage. In African-American naming traditions, it has been used to honor family heritage while providing a strong, dignified name.

Fun Facts

Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) in Chicago was the world tallest building from 1973 to 1998
Bruce Willis became one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood in the 1990s

Willis in Other Languages

French Guillaume

German Wilhelm

Italian Guglielmo

Spanish Guillermo

Famous People Named Willis

Bruce Willis

Actor

1955

American actor known for the Die Hard franchise and dozens of action films

Willis Reed

Athlete

1942

NBA Hall of Fame center who led the New York Knicks to two championships in 1970 and 1973

Willis (Arnold) Fictional

Entertainer

Character Arnold Jackson on the TV sitcom Diff rent Strokes, known for the catchphrase Whatchu talkin about Willis

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #2,686
Total SSA Count: 49
Cultural Origins: English American African-American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

William #10 Will #1283 Willie #1376 Williams #2530 Willem #2644 Willard #3004 Willow #3688 Willy #4354

Common Nicknames

Will Willy

Pairs Well With

Willis James Willis Thomas Willis Scott Willis Dean Willis Grant Willis Hayes

Sibling Names

Earl Boyd Clarence Mavis June Ruby

Also a Girl Name

Willis is also used as a girl name, ranked #71229.

View Willis as a girl name →

Similar Names

William Willard Wilson Williams Guillermo Killian Willem Colson

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Frequently Asked Questions About Willis

What does the name Willis mean?

"resolute protector" (from Germanic). "son of William" (from Middle English). Willis is an English surname that became a given name, derived from Will, a medieval short form of William. William itself comes from the Germanic elements wil (desire, will) and helm (helmet, protector), meaning resolute protector. Willis as a given name was common in 19th and early 20th century America, particularly in the American South, and has a strong tradition as a first name in African-American communities.

What is the origin of the name Willis?

Willis has Germanic, Middle English, English, American, and African-American origins. In Germanic, it means "resolute protector". In Middle English, it means "son of William".

Is Willis a boy or girl name?

Willis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2686. As a girl name, it is ranked #71229. Willis is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Willis?

Willis is pronounced w-IHL-ihs.

How popular is the name Willis?

Willis is currently ranked #2686 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Willis?

Common nicknames for Willis include Will and Willy.

What are good middle names for Willis?

Popular middle name pairings include Willis James, Willis Thomas, Willis Scott, Willis Dean, Willis Grant, and Willis Hayes.

What are good sibling names for Willis?

Names that pair well with Willis as siblings include Earl, Boyd, Clarence, Mavis, June, and Ruby.

How many syllables does Willis have?

Willis has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Willis a common or rare name?

Willis is an uncommon name, ranked #2686 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Willis

Willis is a boy name with English, American, and African-American origins . The name means "resolute protector" in Germanic .

Is Willis a boy or girl name? Willis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,686 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #71,229. Willis is more commonly used as a boy name.

Willis is currently ranked #2,686 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Willis has 2 syllables and is pronounced w-IHL-ihs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Willis include Will and Willy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Willis include William, Will, Willie, Williams, Willem . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.