Willi is a name of German origin, derived from the Germanic name Willibald or Willehad. These names were popular among medieval saints and kings in Germany. The name Willi is composed of two elements: "will", which means "strength" or "spirit", and "-i", which is a diminutive suffix.
The most well-known figure with the name Willi was Saint Willibrord, who was born around 658 AD in England. He became a bishop and founded the first Catholic church in the Netherlands. His feast day is celebrated on November 7th.
In terms of history, the name Willi has been used consistently throughout Europe since the Middle Ages. It was particularly popular in Germany, where it was often given to boys born around the time of religious holidays such as Christmas or Easter. Today, Willi remains a common name in German-speaking countries but is less frequently used elsewhere.
Overall, Willi is a classic and historic name with strong Germanic roots. Its meaning of "strong spirit" makes it an attractive choice for parents seeking a powerful and enduring name for their child.
Statistics on the name Willi in the United States show a varied trend over the years. The name first appeared in the top 1000 baby names list in 1919 with 6 births that year. It experienced a decline in popularity during the 1920s and 1930s, with only 5 births recorded each year in 1937 and 1948.
However, Willi began to regain traction in the mid-20th century. There were 7 births in 1955, followed by an increase to 10 births both in 1958 and 1959. This trend continued through the late 1960s and early 1970s, with peaks of 9 births in 1964 and 7 births each year from 1970 to 1972.
Interestingly, Willi's popularity fluctuated throughout the latter part of the 20th century. There were periods of decline, such as 5 births per year between 1986 and 1993, but also moments of recovery, like the 7 births recorded in 1992. More recently, Willi has maintained a steady presence with 5 births each year from 2002 to 2007, and then a slight increase to 6 births in 2008.
In total, over the years, there have been 144 recorded births with the name Willi in the United States. Despite its fluctuations in popularity, Willi remains a unique and distinctive name choice for parents looking for something different for their children.