Meaning and Origin of the Name Willy

The name Willy has a long history. It can be short for William, but can also stand by itself. The meaning of Willy is ‘Resolute Protector’, a strong masculine trait. In 2012 only 25 baby boys in the United States were named Willy.

Popularity

The popularity of Willy has never been high, making the name unique. This name was not in the top 100 baby boys’ names in Scotland in 2018. However, William was in the 33rd most popular boys’ name.

Famous People with the Name Willy

Because the name is not used very often, the number of famous Willys is limited. But there are a few. Willy Russell is a well known British actor and composer. Willy William is a French DJ, singer and composer, who had a major hit with his song “Ego” in 2016. Willy Brandt was Chancellor of Germany and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. And Willy Ley is a famous American science writer.

In the world of fiction, we all know Willy Wonka, a character by Roald Dahl and Willy, the orca whale from the movie “Free Willy”.

The Willy family has lived in the mountains in western Scotland and on the Hebrides Islands for centuries. From there they have emigrated to Canada and America in the 17th and 18th centuries, adding Scottish lore, fiery tempers and courage to the melting pots of the world.

Useful Resources

Discover the meaning and popularity of other Scottish boys’ names.