Holding steady.
Popularity of Willean since 1919
Babies named Willean per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1950, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Willean's real moment was 1938.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 34 |
| 1930s | 79 |
| 1940s | 83 |
| 1950s | 53 |
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Willean is a rare American name that first appeared in U.S. Social Security records in 1919. It reached its peak popularity in 1938, though it has never ranked among the top 1000 names. The name has seen stable usage over the decades, reflecting its characterization as a revival-era name from the 1930s. While no top-state data is available, Willean's rarity gives it a distinctive, vintage feel. It likely originated as a feminine variant of William, combining the traditional root with a fashionable suffix, much like other '-ean' names of the early 20th century. Its precise origins remain unclear, but it represents a unique slice of American naming history.
Willean appears to be a modern American coinage, likely a combination of the root name William (from Germanic 'wil helm', 'will helmet') and the feminine suffix '-ean', inspired by names like Gillian or Julian. It first appears in U.S. birth records in 1919, with its peak popularity in 1938. The name has never ranked in the top 1000, remaining a rare choice.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Will, Willie, Lee
Variants: Willian
Sibling names for Willean
Names that share Willean's style, for a brother or sister.
