Willi

English

"desires peace"

Willi Origin and Meaning

The name Willi is a boy's name of German origin.

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.

Popularity of the name Willi

• 174 Germany 2016

Famous People Named Willi

• 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