The nameWilly
Willy is a pet form of William, with a famous chocolate maker to its name.
- Boy's name
- English and German
- Feast day
Meaning
Willy comes from William, from the Germanic wil, "will", and helm, "helmet".
Origin
English and German.
History
In the United States Willy reached 980th place in 1896.
Did you know?
- In 1970 Chancellor Willy Brandt knelt before the Warsaw Ghetto memorial. He won the Nobel Peace Prize the following year.
Famous people named Willy
- Willy Brandt, German chancellor
- Willy Wonka, hero of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- Willy Loman, hero of Death of a Salesman
Popularity of the name Willy
Willy in the United States
Willy was most popular in the United States in the 1990s, with 535 births over the decade, 13% of all recorded babies named Willy. Its rise began around 1896, and it peaked in 1993. Half of all babies named Willy in the United States were born before 1977, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 29 births a year.
Willy in France
Willy was most popular in France in the 1970s, with 6,405 births over the decade, 34% of all recorded babies named Willy. Its rise began around 1933, and it peaked in 1973. Half of all babies named Willy in France were born before 1975, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 14 births a year on average, against 28 in the five years before.
Willy in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Willy
Names from the same generation as Willy, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Willy? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Willy with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Willy side by side with the name of your choice.
Willy in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Willy mean?
Willy comes from William, from the Germanic wil, "will", and helm, "helmet".
What is the origin of the name Willy?
English and German.
Is Willy a girl's or a boy's name?
Willy is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Willy?
In 2024, Willy was the 4313th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 24 births.
What are the variants of the name Willy?
Variants and related names of Willy include William.
What are good sibling names for Willy?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Fanny, Darlene, Leanne and Thelma for a sister, Freddie, Tim, Nadir and Faustino for a brother.
Who are famous people named Willy?
Willy Brandt, German chancellor; Willy Wonka, hero of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Willy Loman, hero of Death of a Salesman.