Willson: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	29	3	–	#2,645
1920s	21	2	-28%	#3,209
1930s	10	1	-52%	#3,960
1940s	5	1	-50%	#4,007
1950s	–	–	–	–
1960s	–	–	–	–
1970s	5	1	–	#5,640
1980s	21	2	+320%	#5,732
1990s	61	6	+190%	#5,803
2000s	68	7	+11%	#7,799
2010s	100	10	+47%	#6,292
2020s (to 2025)	48	8	-20%	#6,272

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

#2,645

1920s

-28%

#3,209

1930s

-52%

#3,960

1940s

-50%

#4,007

1950s

–

1960s

–

1970s

–

#5,640

1980s

+320%

#5,732

1990s

+190%

#5,803

2000s

+11%

#7,799

2010s

100

+47%

#6,292

2020s (to 2025)

-20%

#6,272

The story of Willson

Willson is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #9,658 in 2025 with 8 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1914, 368 American babies have been named Willson. Its peak came in 2014, when 14 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 2010s.

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 Willson stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Willson?

The median living Willson is about 16 years old; half are between 8 and 27. An estimated 300 people named Willson are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Willson year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	8	#9,658
2024	5	#14,168
2023	–	–
2022	10	#8,256
2021	11	#7,557
2020	14	#6,272
2019	13	#6,749
2018	10	#8,124
2017	6	#12,173
2016	13	#6,704
2015	9	#8,709
2014	14	#6,292
2013	9	#8,745
2012	11	#7,527
2011	7	#10,726
2010	8	#9,649
2009	7	#10,922
2008	9	#8,987
2007	9	#8,881
2006	7	#10,613
2005	6	#11,415
2004	7	#9,898
2003	9	#7,799
2002	8	#8,418
2001	–	–
2000	6	#10,305
1995	5	#10,283
1990	9	#5,803
1985	–	–
1980	–	–
1975	–	–
1970	–	–
1965	–	–
1960	–	–
1955	–	–
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	–	–
1925	–	–
1920	–	–
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Willson, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Willson?

The median living Willson is about 16 years old. Half of all living Willsons are between 8 and 27 years old.

How many people named Willson are alive today?

An estimated 300 people named Willson are alive in the United States, based on 368 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Willson mean?

Willson is an English language patronymic surname, literally "son of William".

How popular is the name Willson in 2025?

Willson ranked #9,658 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 8 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Willson?

368 babies have been named Willson in the United States since 1914, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Willson most popular?

Willson peaked in 2014, when 14 newborns received the name.

Is Willson a boy or girl name?

Willson is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Willson rising or falling?

Willson is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Willson

Willson popularity over time

The story of Willson

How old are people named Willson?

Willson year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Willson