Will
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Resolute protector, determined guardian
Origin: Germanic/English
Popularity: Ranked #1195 in 2025 with 170 babies born.
History: Will peaked in the 2000s-2010s as a standalone name. Will Smith was the Fresh Prince of American culture — rap, TV, movies. Will represents the ultimate American entertainer name.
Similar names: wil, wiley, willa, willie, willy, widley, wild, willoh
Name length: 4 letters
How common is Will? About 1 in 19,579 babies born in 2025 were named Will, or roughly 0.5 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Will
What does the name Will mean?
Will means “Resolute protector, determined guardian” from Germanic/English roots.
What is the origin of the name Will?
Will has Germanic/English origin. The traditional meaning is “Resolute protector, determined guardian”.
How popular is Will?
Will ranked #1193 in 2025 — given to 170 babies that year.
When was Will most popular?
Will peaked in 1888 with 707 babies registered that year.
Is Will a boy or girl name?
Will is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Wills in registered births are male.
Is the name Will rising or falling in popularity?
Will has fallen 252 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #941 in 2020 to #1193 in 2025.
How long has Will been recorded?
Will appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.