Will
Say it: WILL/wɪl/
BoyMeans a short form of William4 letters1 syllable
#468
in Ireland (2025)
#453 with spellings combined
7
babies in 2025
#179
best rank (2017)
399
babies since 2001
Down 243
10-year rank change
Will through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | #453 |
| 2024 | 6 | #501 |
| 2023 | 9 | #388 |
| 2022 | 12 | #338 |
| 2021 | 16 | #270 |
| 2020 | 17 | #262 |
| 2019 | 24 | #214 |
| 2018 | 22 | #238 |
| 2017 | 33 | #179 |
| 2016 | 28 | #201 |
| 2015 | 26 | #210 |
| 2014 | 23 | #237 |
| 2013 | 26 | #219 |
| 2012 | 30 | #199 |
| 2011 | 24 | #225 |
| 2010 | 21 | #252 |
| 2009 | 13 | #313 |
| 2008 | 11 | #346 |
| 2007 | 15 | #253 |
| 2006 | 14 | #247 |
| 2005 | 6 | #370 |
| 2004 | 5 | #391 |
| 2003 | 5 | #375 |
| 2002 | 3 | #451 |
| 2001 | 3 | #409 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Will mean?
A short form of William
English, a short form of William or other names beginning with Wil-.
Say it right
WILL
The story of Will
Will is a short form of William, and less often of other names beginning with Wil-, such as Wilfred. William is a Germanic name, usually explained as joining words for will or desire and for a helmet or protection. Liam, now a favourite in Ireland, is another short form of it.
Will has been a nickname for centuries. Shakespeare played on it in his sonnets, making a pun of his own name and the word “will”.
As a full name it reached the Irish list in 2001. It grew through the 2010s and peaked in 2017, with 33 boys, at number 179. There were 7 in 2025. In Northern Ireland its best year was 2016, at number 143.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Will (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Will (given name)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, First Forenames Given to Babies Registered in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Will | 7 | 399 |
In Northern Ireland
#314 in 2025 with 5 babies. Best rank #143 (2016); 216 babies since 2000.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.