Willis
Boy name · 3 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Willis: 3 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 3 births in 2016.
A sturdy surname-turned-first-name, Willis carries the meaning "son of Will" or "resolute protection," rooted in the Old German elements *wil* (will) and *helm* (helmet). It was originally a medieval diminutive of William, and gained independence as a given name in the 19th century. Notable bearers include Willis Carrier, the engineer who invented modern air conditioning, and Willis Reed, the legendary New York Knicks basketball captain. The name also shares its root with the actor Bruce Willis, whose screen persona embodies its tough, no-nonsense feel. While no major places directly claim Willis, its connection to the classic William keeps it firmly in the Anglophone naming tradition, a familiar yet less common choice with a sense of quiet strength.
Boy 1 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 20163 babies
- Latest (2016)
- #7073 babies
- Total births
- 3since 2016
- 5-year trend
- ≈ stablevs prior 5y