Willis
A boys’ name of Old English origin, meaning resolute protector; a form of William.
Willis by the numbers
In 2025, 4 babies in England and Wales were named Willis. In the US, 47 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given noticeably more often in the US than in England and Wales.
Its American peak was 1,261 babies in 1924, so it is a 1920s name that has since fallen a long way.
Other names that come from William
Like Willis, each of these traces back to William: a form of it, a name built from it, or a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.
- Wilsonson of William, resolute protector402 in the US (2017)
- Billieresolute protector; a form of William331 in England and Wales (2025)
- Guillermoresolute protector; a form of William287 in the US (2017)
- Willresolute protector; a form of William237 in the US (2017)
- Billresolute protector; a form of William9 in England and Wales (2025)
- Williamsson of William; resolute protector42 in the US (2017)
- Willaminaresolute protector; feminine form of William32 in the US (2017)
- Willyresolute protector; a form of William26 in the US (2017)
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Willis. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
- Willieresolute protector; a form of William286 in the US (2017)
- Wallisa form of Wallace; welshman or foreigner8 in the US (2017)
- Williamresolute protector14,922 in the US (2017)
- Willowthe willow tree; grace, flexibility1,384 in England and Wales (2025)
- Wellsone who lives by the wells or springs241 in the US (2017)
- Willemresolute protector; a form of William55 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean a protector
Like Willis, each of these has a protector in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Liamresolute protector; short form of William18,764 in the US (2017)
- Alexanderdefender of the people12,488 in the US (2017)
- Parkerkeeper of the park; park ranger5,833 in the US (2017)
- Alexisdefender, helper2,847 in the US (2017)
- Alexdefender, helper; short form of Alexander or Alexis2,766 in the US (2017)
- Xanderdefender of mankind; short form of Alexander2,403 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean strength
Like Willis, each of these has strength in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Liamresolute protector; short form of William18,764 in the US (2017)
- Ethanstrong, enduring12,398 in the US (2017)
- GabrielGod is my strength9,110 in the US (2017)
- Aaronmountain of strength; exalted7,185 in the US (2017)
- Aubreyelf ruler; noble strength6,029 in the US (2017)
- Emersonson of Emery, brave power3,275 in the US (2017)
Names about as common as Willis
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