Will is a popular given name of English origin, derived from the Old Germanic ' Willen', meaning 'resolute protection'. It has been used as a given name since the Middle Ages, with notable historical figures such as William Shakespeare and Will Smith carrying on its legacy. The name Will peaked in popularity during the late 1990s to early 2000s and remains widely recognized today.
These statistics show that the name Will experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over time. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, its usage was relatively low, with fewer than 12 births recorded per year until 1914. However, during World War I (1914-1918), there was a notable increase in popularity, with peaks of 21 births in both 1914 and 1917. This trend continued into the 1920s, reaching a high of 24 births in 1922. After that decade, usage declined again, dropping to single digits by the late 1930s. It remained relatively uncommon until a brief resurgence in the mid-1950s, with 9 births recorded in 1954. The name Will was given to a total of 658 babies over this period.