Will

Meaning of Will

Will means "resolute protector" or "desire, will". It is often a shortened version of William.

Will has German roots — browse every German baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Will

After ranking as high as #492 in 2005, Will has fallen out of the US top 1,000 as of 2025.

Notable people named Will

• Will Smith
  Actor, rapper, producer
• Will Ferrell
  Actor, comedian, writer
• Prince William
  Prince of Wales
• Will Arnett
  Actor, comedian
• Will Wright
  Video game designer

More German names

Questions about the name Will

What does the name Will mean?

Will means will means "resolute protector" or "desire, will". it is often a shortened version of william, and it comes from German origins.

Is Will a boy's or a girl's name?

Will is most commonly used as a boy's name in the United States.

How popular is the name Will?

Will did not appear in the top 1,000 baby names in 2025, which makes it a genuinely uncommon pick.

When was Will most popular?

Will peaked at #492 in 2005.