Will

Will is a masculine given name, commonly used as a short form of William. The given name William originates from the Germanic Wilhelm, from wil meaning will or desire and helm meaning helmet or protection. In English-speaking countries, Will has been used as an independent given name since the 19th century and remains common in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

Notable people named Will include Will Smith (born 1968), American actor and rapper; Will Ferrell (born 1967), American actor and comedian; Will.i.am (born William Adams, 1975), American musician and record producer; Will Shortz (born 1952), American editor of The New York Times crossword puzzle; and Will Poulter (born 1993), English actor. These figures illustrate the name’s continued use across entertainment, media, and public life.

Variants and related forms include Willy, Willie, and the longer form William. The name Will is often associated with a casual or approachable tone in English-speaking contexts. While primarily a given name, Will is less commonly encountered as a surname. For broader forms and etymology, see William, the root name from which Will is derived.