Will is a name of English origin, derived from the Old English word "will" which means "resolute power." It is also connected to the Old German name "Wilhelm," which was brought to England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The name Wilhelm is composed of two elements: "wil," meaning "will" or "desire," and "helm," meaning "helmet" or "protection."
The name Will has a rich history, dating back to the Middle Ages when it was often used as a short form of William. It was also popular among the nobility in England during this time period. In literature, the name Will is famously associated with Shakespeare's character Will Scarlet from the classic tale of Robin Hood.
Throughout the centuries, the name Will has continued to be a popular choice for boys' names in English-speaking countries. Today, it is still widely used and loved by many parents who appreciate its strong meaning and historical significance. While it may have been more commonly used as a nickname or short form of William in the past, modern parents often choose Will as a standalone given name.
In terms of popularity, the name Will has consistently ranked among the top 1000 boy's names in the United States since the early 20th century. According to data from the Social Security Administration, it reached its peak popularity in the late 1990s, when it was given to more than 6,000 baby boys each year. Although its usage has decreased slightly since then, it remains a beloved and popular choice for parents today.
Overall, Will is a strong and meaningful name with deep roots in English history. With its powerful meaning of "resolute power" and rich literary associations, it's easy to see why so many parents have chosen this name for their sons throughout the generations.
The name Will has seen significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century and a half. Between 1880 and 1900, it was quite popular, with a peak of 707 births in 1888. However, its popularity began to decline steadily from around 1900 onwards, reaching a low point of just 157 births in 1955.
In the latter half of the 20th century, Will's popularity rebounded somewhat, with the number of births fluctuating between about 180 and 340 per year. However, it has since declined again, with fewer than 250 births each year since 2016.
Overall, the name Will has been given to a total of 45,630 newborns over this period, with significant variations in its popularity over time.