Declining since 1985, #1,315 for boys today.
Popularity of Willie since 1880
Babies named Willie per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1947, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Willie's real moment was 1910.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 3,397 | 5,906 |
| 1890s | 7,109 | 9,849 |
| 1900s | 12,357 | 17,746 |
| 1910s | 28,179 | 47,690 |
| 1920s | 37,814 | 67,993 |
| 1930s | 23,873 | 62,466 |
| 1940s | 18,098 | 72,422 |
| 1950s | 10,059 | 66,460 |
| 1960s | 3,631 | 39,812 |
| 1970s | 1,021 | 23,966 |
| 1980s | 458 | 16,892 |
| 1990s | 132 | 9,716 |
| 2000s | 18 | 5,157 |
| 2010s | 20 | 3,132 |
| 2020s | 31 | 981 |
Meaning & origin
Willie is a classic diminutive of William that has long stood on its own as a given name. In 2025, it ranked 1315th in the United States, given to about 1 in every 11,620 baby boys. The name reached its peak popularity in 1910, when it was one of the most common names for boys, particularly in the South. Its trajectory has been falling since 1985, reflecting a broader trend away from nickname-style given names. The top states for Willie are Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama, where it retains a strong regional presence. Willie is also well-known as a feminine nickname for Wilhelmina and other similar names, though its use for girls has never been as widespread.
Willie originated as a pet form of William, which itself comes from the Old German name Willahelm, composed of the elements 'wil' (will, desire) and 'helm' (helmet, protection). William was introduced to England by the Normans in the 11th century and quickly became one of the most enduringly popular names in the English-speaking world. Willie emerged as a common nickname and was frequently used as an independent given name, especially in the American South. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it had achieved notable popularity as a standalone name, particularly for boys, though it has also been used for girls, often as a nickname for Wilhelmina or other similar names.
Where Willie 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Will, Bill, Billy
Sibling names for Willie
Names that share Willie's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Mamie, Ella, Lula, Bessie, Nellie, Essie, Fannie, Lizzie, Mattie, Nannie, Susie, Addie, Ammie, Betsy, Bettie, Dollie, Gertie, Jeanie, Jeannie, Kattie, Linnie, Nettie, Pattie, Retta, Sallie, Tessie, Tressie, Virgie, Aggie, Arrie, Blanchie, Carry, Clemmie, Collie, Cordie, Ettie, Gennie, Glennie, Hassie, Jeffie, Jettie, Johnsie, Kittie, Libbie, Liddie, Lonie, Lossie, Ludie, Mallie, Mammie, Martie, Mellie, Monnie, Onnie, Osie, Ressie, Rossie, Sadye, Sudie, Tommye, Versie, Willia, Zettie, Beadie, Berdie, Bernece, Besse, Birtie, Channie, Colie, Crissie, Dellie, Dicie, Dillie, Doll, Donie, Ebbie, Emmajean, Fannye, Floye, Fronie, Gillie, Ginnie, Girlie, Hessie, Jinnie, Lelar, Littie, Lollie, Lovey, Lular, Lulla, Lutie, Matie, Matty, Mattye, Mazzie, Mennie, Mintie, Monie, Nanie, Nealie, Nonnie, Orene, Pecolia, Peggi, Pinkey, Robbye, Rubbie, Ruie, Saddie, Sayde, Sussie, Tinnie, Toye, Vannie, Vicie, Vinie, Virda, Wanza, Wynonna, Zollie, Alcie, Attie, Biddie, Blannie, Cannie, Clemie, Cliffie, Climmie, Cornie, Dollye, Elfie, Elsye, Fonnie, Fronnie, Girtie, Hennie, Icie, Jemmie, Lallie, Luddie, Lulie, Magie, Mamye, Manie, Mollye, Pairlee, Raymie, Rudie, Saidee, Sennie, Tishie, Venie, Vessie, Wessie, Willye, Zellie, Clytee, Elzina, Pallie, Adie, Chattie, Dicy, Earsie, Eddis, Epsie, Ercie, Ermie, Ettamae, Eunie, Geanie, Jeanni, Johnye, Lawrie, Maidie, Minie, Nattie, Netty, Nillie, Ninnie, Parrie, Radie, Recie, Rettie, Rissie, Rosielee, Sibbie, Swannie, Tacie, Tannie, Vincie, Viney, Virtie
Brothers: Charlie, Jesse, Otis, Clarence, Earl, Bennie, Floyd, Fred, Jimmie, Artie, Davey, Lue, Rickie, Robie, Tommie, Coley, Earlie, Earnie, Harrell, Jerre, Mannie, Montie, Ossie, Simmie, Vinnie, Billey, Hardie, Hughey, Olie, Tollie, Vollie, Wallie, Eddye, Elzy, Frankye, Lewie, Limmie, Okey, Rannie, Redell, Sollie, Burlie, Mosie, Bubber, Jhonnie, Kinnie, Luie, Oney, Rhodie
Names like Willie
Names whose popularity has moved with Willie's over the last 50 years.
