Willy

Willy is a masculine given name and a common diminutive of William in English, Dutch, and German-speaking regions. The name William itself comes from the Germanic elements wil, meaning will or desire, and helm, meaning helmet or protection, giving the sense of a resolute protector. In Dutch, Willy is often a nickname for Willem and can also be used as a standalone given name; in English, Willy and Willie function as informal forms, with Willy sometimes used as a full given name.

Usage varies by country and language, but Willy is generally considered affectionate or familiar rather than formal. The name has a long-standing presence in politics, sports, and culture, and has appeared in literature and film as a fictional character name.

Notable people and characters named Willy include Willy Brandt, the German statesman and Nobel Peace Prize laureate; Willy Caballero, Argentine goalkeeper; and fictional figures such as Willy Wonka from Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Willy Loman, the protagonist of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman.

Related given-name forms include Will, Willie, Wilhelm, and Willem.