Declining since 2005, #1,193 for boys today.
Popularity of Will since 1880
Babies named Will per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1888, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Will's real moment was 1882.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 6,196 |
| 1890s | 5,210 |
| 1900s | 3,246 |
| 1910s | 3,162 |
| 1920s | 3,423 |
| 1930s | 2,402 |
| 1940s | 2,161 |
| 1950s | 1,999 |
| 1960s | 2,100 |
| 1970s | 2,232 |
| 1980s | 2,349 |
| 1990s | 2,927 |
| 2000s | 4,446 |
| 2010s | 2,978 |
| 2020s | 1,121 |
Meaning & origin
A short form of William that has long stood on its own, Will has a sturdy, straightforward appeal. The name peaked in popularity in 1882, when it ranked among the top names for baby boys in the United States. Since then, its use has declined, and the trajectory shows a falling trend since 2005. In 2025, approximately 1 in 10,048 boys received the name, placing it at rank 1193. The name has seen particular favor in states such as Utah, Iowa, and Colorado, where it appears more frequently than the national average.
Will is a medieval diminutive of William, itself from the Old Norman French Willaume, derived from the Old High German Willahelm, composed of *wiljô* (will, desire) and *helm* (helmet, protection). As an independent given name, Will has been used since the Middle Ages and gained popularity in the 19th century, especially in the United States.
Where Will is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Will” around the world
Where Will lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Ireland
7
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Sibling names for Will
Names that share Will's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Emma, Lily, Molly, Sarah, Kate, Beth, Jill, Josie, Nell, Bess, Dessie, Katy, Liz, Meg, Mollie, Nan, Dot, Eda, Genny, Katey, Rilla, Argie, Babe, Lilybeth, Mell, Effa, Hanny, Libbi, Pegge, Sadee, Annye, Betsi, Cele, Winna
Brothers: Ben, Jack, Sam, Tom, Max, Andy, Dan, Ted, Ed, Edd, Gus, Hal, Ike, Nat, Ned, Tad, Chip, Clem, Len, Sim, Tadd, Ab, Guss, Harve, Lum, Mart, Thom, Tobe, Benn, Gill, Add, Bartt
Names like Will
Names whose popularity has moved with Will's over the last 50 years.
