Names That Mean Will

The biblical husband of the queen of Sheba; an unusual name with an interesting sound, rhyming with lanai.

Quirky form of Ishmael found in Nordic countries.

Short and strong multicultural option for a son. Nev Schulman (born Yaniv) is the creator of the MTV series Catfish.

The Social Security Lists show Willodean and its variant spellings to have been used throughout the 1920s and 30s especially in Southern states. There are a few theories on its origins (an invented name created to honor William/Willard and a a female name ending in "-dine", or it may be an Anglicization of a Native American name). Either way, it has a willowy sweetness that deserves a comeback.

Made most familiar in English-speaking countries by prize-winning author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Chimamanda has a wonderful meaning and can be shortened to Chima or the spunky Chi. In 2022, it entered the UK Top 1000 for the first time, and has been climbing ever since. A recent year saw it rank in at #547, when it was given to 70 girls.

Ethiopian name that would be difficult here.

Names with the del element, such as Adeline, Adelaide, Adele, and Della, are currently en vogue, but old-fashioned Odella didn't get the memo.

Cornish form of William

One of many Hebrew Y names kept alive in Israel and in American religious communities.

The Social Security Lists show Willodean and all its variant spellings to have been used throughout the 1920s and 30s especially in Southern states. There are a few theories on its origins (an invented name created to honor William/Willard and a a female name ending in "-dine", or it may be an Anglicization of a Native American name). Either way, it has a willowy sweetness that deserves a comeback.

Croatian short form of Josip, ultimately deriving from the Hebrew Joseph.

Variant of Yitzhak, the Hebrew form of Isaac.

Activist and Māori elder Dame Whina (pronounced FEE-nah) Cooper was born Hōhepine (Josephine), but Whina may also derive from the Māori name Āwhina, meaning "help, support".

Unfortunately, everyone will just hear Jared.

Esmael is an uncommon name with deep cultural roots.

This spelling pares Will down to the bare minimum — and why not? It is also a Welsh diminutive of William / Wiliam / Gwilym.

Vilgot may seem like an ancient Germanic name, but it's only been around since the end of the 19th century. It's most famous bearer is the late Vilgot Sjöman, a famed Swedish film director and writer.

Maori form of Joseph

Medieval French diminutive of Gui (Guy), ultimately from William.