Willi
Below 5 births
About Willi
Willi is a masculine name primarily used in German-speaking countries as a diminutive form of Wilhelm, which derives from Germanic elements meaning 'will' or 'desire' and 'helmet' or 'protection.' This shortened variant maintains the friendly, approachable quality common to nickname forms while functioning as a standalone given name. In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, Willi enjoyed considerable popularity throughout the 20th century, particularly among generations born between 1920-1960. The name carries a classic, somewhat vintage appeal in its native regions. Outside German-speaking areas, Willi might be chosen to honor German heritage or appreciated for its simple, friendly sound. The spelling variant 'Willy' is more common in English-speaking countries.
Pronounced WIL-ee.
As of October 2026, Willi ranked #12479 in US births in 2008 SSA, peaked at #2812 in 1958.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | — | 0 | 0 |
Willi on lists
Famous Willis
- Willi Stoph
Prime Minister of East Germany
- Willi Apel
German,American musicologist
- Wilhelm "Willi" Friedrich Weber
manager of German racing drivers
- Willi Forst (born Wilhelm Anton Frohs)
Austrian actor and director
- (Emil Hans) Willi Hennig
German biologist and founder of cladistics
- Wilhelm "Willi" Münzenberg
German Communist political activist
- Vilen "Willi" Tokarev
Russian,American singer,songriter