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Wills

Quick answerWills is a surname derived from the given name William, meaning "resolute protector" or "strong-willed," from the Germanic elements "wil" (will/desire) and "helm" (helmet/protection).

Germanic · Boy · 1 syllable

W
Rare

Popularity & facts

Relative popularity index, 2010–2025
GenderBoy
US Rank#13,799
TrendStable
Peak year2021
Syllables1
OriginGermanic
LanguageEnglish
CultureAnglo-Saxon
Letters5
Numerology3 Chaldean 7
Global rank#3,849

Popularity over time

Popularity index
Hover the line to see any year. 100 = most popular.

Historical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data

About the name Wills

Wills is a surname derived from the given name William, meaning "resolute protector" or "strong-willed," from the Germanic elements "wil" (will/desire) and "helm" (helmet/protection).

This meaning was compiled with AI assistance and is awaiting community review. Know this name well? Help verify or improve it.

Etymology

Wills is a surname derived from the given name William, meaning "resolute protector" or "strong-willed," from the Germanic elements "wil" (will/desire) and "helm" (helmet/protection). The name is primarily used in English-speaking cultures and has historical roots in Anglo-Saxon England, with notable bearers including English naturalist John Ray's contemporary and various English landowners throughout medieval and modern periods.

Wills currently ranks #13,799 in the United States as a boy's name. It reached its peak popularity around 2021.

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Willeke
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"Willeke is a Dutch diminutive form of Wilhelmina, derived from the Germanic elements "wil" (will/desire) and "helm" (helmet/protection), meaning "resolute…"

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"Willkie is derived from the Germanic name William, combining "wil" (will/desire) and "helm" (helmet/protection), meaning "resolute protector" or "determined defender."…"

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Wiljo
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"Wiljo is a Finnish diminutive form of Wilhelm, derived from the Germanic elements "wil" (will/desire) and "helm" (helmet/protection), meaning "resolute…"

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Wilja
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"Wilja is a Scandinavian diminutive form derived from Germanic roots meaning "will" or "desire," related to names like Wilhelm and…"

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Welles
Unisex Old English

"Welles is derived from the Old English word "wella" or "well," meaning a spring or source of water, and likely…"

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"Welch is an English surname derived from the Old English word "wealh," meaning "foreigner" or "Welshman," originally used to denote…"

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"Wilsie is a diminutive form of the name Wilfred or Wilson, derived from the Old English elements "wil" (will/desire) and…"

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Willys
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"Willys is a diminutive or anglicized variant of William, derived from the Germanic elements "wil" (desire, will) and "helm" (helmet,…"

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