Holding steady.
Popularity of Willet since 1915
Babies named Willet per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1926, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Willet's real moment was 1915.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 20 |
| 1920s | 6 | 38 |
| 1930s | 0 | 31 |
| 1940s | 0 | 5 |
| 1950s | 0 | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Willet first appeared in United States Social Security records in 1915, its peak year recorded, though even then it was extremely rare. With no subsequent years showing notable usage and a rank outside the top 1000 for 2025, the name is virtually unused today. It has never been a common given name, likely due to its similarity to the surname Willet and the more familiar William. The trajectory of Willet is essentially flat, reflecting its status as a historic oddity rather than a name that ever held widespread appeal. As a name that has never appeared in any top state rankings, Willet remains a curious footnote in naming history, perhaps most recognizable as the common name of a shorebird.
Willet likely originated as a medieval diminutive of William, formed with the suffix -et, similar to Willett. As a given name, it appears to have been used sparingly in the early 20th century in the United States, possibly as a variant of the surname Willet. The name has seen little usage since the 1910s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Will, Willy
Sibling names for Willet
Names that share Willet's style, for a brother or sister.
