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© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Will — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Wilks|Willa
GermanicBoy↓ Fading

Will

WIL · 1 syllables

Share Will:
Compare with another name
Boy
#1283
↓ Fading
#1283
in the US · 2024
Popularity score: 28
Peak rank
#942 in 2020
5yr change
-144 ranks
Birth frequency
4.3 per 100,000 births
Sex split
100% boy · 0% girl

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #1283 · Falling since 2020

How Popular Is This Name?

Bars show the range of popularity for each group. The dot shows where this name sits. Further right = more popular.

All US boy names
Top 200 boy names
Germanic boy names
Will

Popularity score: 28  ·  SSA Rank: #1283

Rare  ·  Distinctive  ·  Familiar  ·  Common  ·  Very Common

Popularity score: 0 = least popular, 100 = most popular. Based on SSA rank.

Namesake Score
55
Higher than 55% of names
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
↓ Fading
-144 ranks
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Limited
.com taken · — · clear
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
80
3 per 10,000 births
Won't be common in class

Will scores well on uniqueness but there are tradeoffs — the popularity trend is fading.

Meaning Depth37% of score
60
Name Trend28% of score
32
Uniqueness20% of score
80
Feasibility15% of score
50

Scores are percentile-ranked across 43,000+ names.

Name DNA
GermanicEnglishClassicStrongBoy1-syllableNicknameTimelessRoyalPopular
Character
strong determinationdecisive actionindependent spiritresolute confidencepurposeful energy
People with this name

Qualities shared by notable Wills

charmingdutifuldedicatedcompassionateprincipled
STRONG
High confidence

Will is a Germanic boy name with cooling SSA momentum. It ranked #1283 in the US in 2024.

Trend:↓ Fading · -144 ranks
Feasibility:.com taken · — · clear
Popularity:#1283 · rare
Will at a Glance
Meaning:Short form of William, from Germanic 'wil' (desire, will) and 'helm' (helmet, protection). Means 'resolute protector' or 'strong-willed.'
Language root:Old German · Old English
Peak rank:#942 in 2020
5yr change:-144 ranks
Sex usage:100% boy · 0% girl
Notable bearers
Will Smith
Actor & Musician
Will Ferrell
Actor & Comedian
Similar Sound
LiamBillPhilJillSill
Similar Style
JackJamesHenryLucasOliver
Works well with
EmmaCharlotteGraceSophieOliviaAvaJackCharlie◈
You Might Also Like
Jack
English · #15
→ Stable
James
Hebrew · #5
→ Stable
Henry
Germanic · #6
→ Stable
Lucas
Latin · #9
→ Stable
Oliver
Latin · #3
→ Stable
William
Germanic · #10
→ Stable
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Will illustration
Name Intelligence
Will · Overview
Summary

Will is a Germanic boy name with cooling SSA momentum. It ranked #1283 in the US in 2024.

Strengths
Classic · Strong character
Will carries a bold, warm quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
Considerations
Popularity declining
Rank has dropped 144 positions in the last year. Consider whether this trajectory matters for your decision.
Domain taken
will.com is not available. Alternative TLDs may work.
Explore

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Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
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