Willmer is of German origin, derived from the Old Germanic elements 'wil' meaning 'will' or 'desire', and 'mari' which refers to 'famous'. The name was likely brought to England by Norman settlers during the 11th century and has since been anglicized as Willmer. It is a rare name, with few historical figures or notable individuals bearing it, contributing to its distinctive and unusual character.
The name Willmer had a peak in popularity during the early 1920s with 21 births recorded in 1923. However, it declined significantly over time, with only 5 births recorded between 2001 and 2005. Overall, there were 309 babies named Willmer from 1913 to 2005.