Willis

boyEnglish

Willis is an boy name of English origin, meaning “Son of Will”.

MeaningSon of Will
GenderBoy
OriginEnglish
PronunciationWIL-is
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inUnited States, United Kingdom

Meaning and origin of Willis

Willis is an English surname meaning 'son of Will' or 'son of Willie', from pet forms of William. William itself is Germanic, from wil, 'will' or 'desire', and helm, 'helmet' or 'protection'. Willis was used as a first name in the United States from the nineteenth century and peaked in the early twentieth.

Is Willis a religious name?

Willis is a secular surname-name with no religious background.

How popular is Willis?

Rare for babies today.

Gifts with the name Willis

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Spellings and variants of Willis

WillsWyllis

Names similar to Willis

More boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Willis mean?

Willis means 'Son of Will'. It is of English origin.

Does Willis have a religious meaning?

Willis is a secular surname-name with no religious background.

How do you pronounce Willis?

Willis is pronounced WIL-is.

Is Willis a boy or girl name?

Willis is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.