How Many People Are Named Willard?
Complete statistics for the name Willard: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Willard is an old Germanic name meaning 'resolute and brave,' and it carries that sturdy, no-nonsense energy you'd expect from a classic. About 20,364 people named Willard are alive in the US today, making it genuinely rare at 1 in 16,205 Americans. Its peak was over a century ago, so running into a young Willard would be quite the surprise.
📖 Meaning & Origin
The number 7 is traditionally associated with deep introspection, wisdom, and a search for truth. People connected to 7 are thought to be analytical and spiritually curious, often drawn to uncovering what lies beneath the surface.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 91All 78,403 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1915Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Slowly declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Willard Through the Generations
Willard had its moment in the sun back in 1915, when 2,924 babies were given the name in a single year. That era defined the name's identity, and the numbers today tell that story clearly. Of the 78,403 Willards ever born in the US, only 20,364 are estimated to be living now, a gap that reflects both natural attrition and a name that largely stopped being chosen decades ago. The age distribution is striking: 91% of living Willards are over 60, with just 1,393 under the age of 30. The average age sits at 91, which says a lot about where this name lives in American life right now. It's not gone, but it's fading slowly, carried almost entirely by older generations. A newborn Willard in 2024 would be a genuine rarity.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Willard's Germanic roots
📄 About the Name Willard
How Many People Have the Name Willard?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 20,179 people in the United States currently share the name Willard. That works out to roughly 1 in every 16,425 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Willard a Common or Rare Name?
Willard is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Willard Mean?
Willard means "resolute and brave protector" and comes from Germanic origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 7.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Willard in SSA data, approximately 99% are male and 1% are female.
When Was Willard Most Popular?
The name Willard reached peak popularity in 1915, with 2,924 babies registered that year. Current trend: Slowly declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Willard?
Approximately 20,179 people named Willard live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 20,179. That works out to roughly 1 in 16,425 Americans.
Is Willard a rare name?
Willard is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 16,425 Americans has this name.
What does the name Willard mean?
Willard means "resolute and brave protector" and comes from Germanic origins.
Is Willard more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 99% of people named Willard are male and 1% are female.
When was Willard most popular?
Willard peaked in 1915 with 2,924 births that year. Current trend: Slowly declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.