Will - Name Meaning and Popularity -

Meaning of Will

Will began as the brisk medieval nickname for William, that steadfast fusion of Old Germanic elements meaning “resolute protector.” Over time it detached from its longer parent, content to stand on its own with the same one-syllable efficiency it demands from speakers (pronounced /wɪl/—blink and you’ve said it). In Anglo-American culture the name is laced with notions of drive and determination—no surprise, given that its English homonym signals personal intent. Literary history supplies Will Shakespeare; Hollywood counters with Will Smith and Will Ferrell; American folklore throws in cowboy-humorist Will Rogers for good measure. Popularity charts show a marathon runner rather than a sprinter: since 1880 the name has rarely left the U.S. Top 800, peaking around the mid-20th century and currently cruising in the 700s. Parents who choose Will often appreciate its unadorned confidence—equally at ease on a playground, a business card, or, should destiny cooperate, the spine of a future collected works.