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Willis

Name Origin

Willis is an English surname of Norman origin, meaning 'resolute protector.' It derives from the Old French personal name Wille, a short form of Guillaume, which itself comes from the Germanic elements *wil* (will) and *helm* (helmet).

englishsurnameresoluteprotectorgermanicmasculine

Famous People

Willis Carrier (1876-1950)

Inventor

  • Inventor of the modern air conditioner
  • Founder of Carrier Corporation

Willis O'Brien (1886-1962)

Special effects artist, filmmaker

  • Pioneer in stop-motion animation
  • Created special effects for films like King Kong and The Lost World

Willis Reed (1944-)

Basketball player, coach

  • Hall of Fame center for the New York Knicks
  • Two-time NBA champion and Finals MVP

Willis McGahee (1981-)

Football player

  • Pro Bowl running back for the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, and Denver Broncos

Similar Names

WilhelmWilliamGuillermo

Sibling Names

Eleanor

Both Willis and Eleanor are classic, traditional names with a timeless elegance.

Arthur

Willis and Arthur share a strong, masculine feel and evoke a sense of history and strength.

Clara

Clara complements Willis with its soft femininity, creating a balanced pair of sibling names.