Declining since 2020, #8,910 for boys today.
Popularity of Willson since 1914
Babies named Willson per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2014, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Willson's real moment was 1914.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 29 |
| 1920s | 21 |
| 1930s | 10 |
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 21 |
| 1990s | 61 |
| 2000s | 68 |
| 2010s | 100 |
| 2020s | 48 |
Meaning & origin
Willson is a rare given name derived from an English surname, itself a patronymic meaning 'son of Will'. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1914, when it reached its peak rank of 8,910th, and has since become increasingly uncommon. As of 2025, the probability of a newborn being named Willson is approximately 1 in 213,510, and the name has been on a downward trajectory since 2020. Willson is an alternative spelling of the more familiar Wilson, and like many surname-become-first-names, it carries a straightforward, traditional feel. While not associated with any particular region (it has no top states), it fits within a broader category of English patronymic names that have seen periodic revival. Its rarity makes it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with historical roots but little modern baggage.
Willson is a patronymic surname turned given name, literally meaning 'son of Will', where Will is a medieval diminutive of William. As a first name, it has been in sporadic use since the 19th century, though it has never been common. The variant spelling with double 'l' distinguishes it from the more prevalent 'Wilson' surname.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Will
Variants: Wilson
Sibling names for Willson
Names that share Willson's style, for a brother or sister.
