Willie

At a Glance

Meaning

Pet form of William (or, less often, of Wilhelmina) — carries no independent meaning of its own

Origin

English (diminutive of William)

Gender

Used for both boys and girls

Pronunciation

WIL-eeListen

Willie started out as a pet form of William, and that's really all it is — it doesn't carry a separate meaning of its own. It's an English name, born as an affectionate short version of a much older name, which gives it a warm, familiar feel without pretense. If you're drawn to Willie, you're choosing a name that's straightforward about its roots.

Meaning & Origin of Willie

Meaning: Pet form of William (or, less often, of Wilhelmina) — carries no independent meaning of its own.

Origin: English (diminutive of William).

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Willie

Popularity of Willie

Willie peaked at #11 in 1910, when 2,897 baby boys were given the name — genuinely common for its era. By 2024 it had fallen all the way to #1375, with just 137 babies named Willie, a steep drop over more than a century of SSA records.

Names Like Willie

Names with a similar style, era, origin or popularity history.

• Sidney
• Evalyn
• Nick
• Milton
• Bernard
• Booker

FAQ

What does the name Willie mean?

Pet form of William (or, less often, of Wilhelmina) — carries no independent meaning of its own. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Willie?

Willie is pronounced WIL-ee (IPA: /ˈwɪli/).

Is Willie a popular name right now?

Willie peaked at #11 in 1910 and is ranked #1375 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Willie Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Willie, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.