The first name Will
A boy’s name.
Pronounced /wɪl/ 1 syllable Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 8 boys were named Will, making it the 2,664th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2004, with 211 births (#188).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Will with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Will at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 170 boys born in the United States were named Will, the 1,195th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1888, when 707 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Will in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Nicknames and spellings
Other spellings and forms
Famous people named Will
106 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Will RogersAmerican humorist and entertainer (1879–1935)
- Will PoulterBritish actor (born 1993)
- Will EisnerAmerican cartoonist, writer and entrepreneur (1917–2005)
- Will PattonAmerican actor, born 1954
- Will GriggAssociation football player (born 1991)
- Will ForteAmerican actor, comedian, writer (born 1970)
- Will Robson Emilio AndradeBrazilian association football player, born 1973
- Will ClayeAmerican triple jumper and long jumper, born 1991
- Will KymlickaCanadian philosopher, born 1962
- Will HughesEnglish association football player, born 1995
- Will SelfEnglish writer and journalist (born 1961)
- Will Yun LeeAmerican actor, born 1971
Questions
- What does the name Will mean?
- Clipping of William or Willow, less often, other given names beginning with Wil-, such as Wilfred or Willard.
- How popular is the name Will?
- In 2025, 8 boys born in England and Wales were named Will, ranking 2,664th. Its peak was 2004, with 211 births.
- Is Will a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 99% of the 46,610 US babies named Will since 1880 were boys.
- When was Will most popular?
- 1888 in the United States, when 707 babies were named Will, its highest rank at 28th.
- How do you pronounce Will?
- Will is /wɪl/, one syllable.
- What are other spellings of Will?
- Wil.
- Is Will also a surname?
- Yes. Will is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.