"resolute protector"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
Willis
Pronunciation: [ w-IHL-ihs ]
Does Willis flow with your last name?
A sturdy vintage surname name meaning resolute protector
English
American
African-American
Vintage
Strong
Classic
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"son of William"
Origin: Middle English
Language: English
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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.
Historical Record
Willis first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 14,701 babies have been named Willis in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Willis is past its peak , currently ranked #2,686 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#2,686
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1951
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Willis
B
Bruce Willis
Actor
1955
American actor known for the Die Hard franchise and dozens of action films
W
Willis Reed
Athlete
1942
NBA Hall of Fame center who led the New York Knicks to two championships in 1970 and 1973
W
Willis (Arnold) Fictional
Entertainer
Character Arnold Jackson on the TV sitcom Diff rent Strokes, known for the catchphrase Whatchu talkin about Willis
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Compare Willis with:
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
Common Nicknames
Will
Willy
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Willis
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Willis is also used as a girl name, ranked #71229.
View Willis as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Germanic origin
"army man, soldier"
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Old Norse/English origin
"valley"
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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.
What boy names are similar to Willis?
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.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis