Willard
Every Willard since 1880 — 78,542 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Willard
Willard is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,760 in 2025 with 47 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 78,542 American babies have been named Willard. Its peak came in 1915, when 2,924 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Willard stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Willard year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 47 | #2,760 |
| 2024 | — | — | 42 | #2,999 |
| 2023 | — | — | 43 | #2,946 |
| 2022 | — | — | 41 | #3,051 |
| 2021 | — | — | 29 | #3,809 |
| 2020 | — | — | 44 | #2,804 |
| 2019 | — | — | 46 | #2,763 |
| 2018 | — | — | 50 | #2,577 |
| 2017 | — | — | 55 | #2,386 |
| 2016 | — | — | 47 | #2,660 |
| 2015 | — | — | 44 | #2,763 |
| 2014 | — | — | 35 | #3,228 |
| 2013 | — | — | 31 | #3,493 |
| 2012 | — | — | 47 | #2,628 |
| 2011 | — | — | 36 | #3,163 |
| 2010 | — | — | 49 | #2,553 |
| 2009 | — | — | 40 | #2,988 |
| 2008 | — | — | 57 | #2,324 |
| 2007 | — | — | 48 | #2,599 |
| 2006 | — | — | 56 | #2,283 |
| 2005 | — | — | 60 | #2,080 |
| 2004 | — | — | 63 | #1,952 |
| 2003 | — | — | 59 | #1,985 |
| 2002 | — | — | 64 | #1,815 |
| 2001 | — | — | 61 | #1,840 |
| 2000 | — | — | 60 | #1,814 |
| 1995 | — | — | 83 | #1,299 |
| 1990 | — | — | 91 | #1,134 |
| 1985 | — | — | 105 | #888 |
| 1980 | — | — | 164 | #679 |
| 1975 | — | — | 229 | #531 |
| 1970 | — | — | 350 | #435 |
| 1965 | — | — | 413 | #381 |
| 1960 | 5 | #7,307 | 543 | #333 |
| 1955 | — | — | 723 | #257 |
| 1950 | 5 | #6,094 | 841 | #219 |
| 1945 | 6 | #4,546 | 957 | #172 |
| 1940 | 10 | #2,957 | 1,140 | #151 |
| 1935 | 13 | #2,436 | 1,214 | #132 |
| 1930 | 21 | #1,812 | 1,537 | #117 |
| 1925 | 29 | #1,574 | 1,795 | #97 |
| 1920 | 31 | #1,469 | 2,089 | #88 |
| 1915 | 35 | #1,170 | 2,889 | #58 |
| 1910 | 10 | #1,631 | 265 | #121 |
| 1905 | 14 | #1,055 | 180 | #119 |
| 1900 | 9 | #1,426 | 172 | #132 |
| 1895 | — | — | 113 | #138 |
| 1890 | — | — | 89 | #160 |
| 1885 | — | — | 95 | #144 |
| 1880 | — | — | 88 | #158 |
Famous people named Willard
- Willard Boyle Physicist · 1924–2011
- Willard Libby Chemist · 1908–1980
- Willard Van Orman Quine Philosopher · 1908–2000
- Willard Metcalf Painter · 1858–1925
- Willard Scott Actor · b. 1934
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Willard in 2025?
Willard ranked #2,760 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 47 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Willard?
78,542 babies have been named Willard in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Willard most popular?
Willard peaked in 1915, when 2,924 newborns received the name.
Is Willard a boy or girl name?
Willard is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Willard rising or falling?
Willard is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Willard?
Well-known people named Willard include Willard Boyle (physicist), Willard Libby (chemist), Willard Van Orman Quine (philosopher).