Meaning & origin
How it developed
In English usage, Willison as a surname is a diminutive of Will.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1980. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Willison through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 5
- 5 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 1980
- 5 babies
- 2025
- 0
- Outside the ranked list
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- —
- Too few births to compare
By the numbers
The most recent published U.S. birth count for boys is 5 in 1980. Later missing counts do not mean the name went unused. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 2,745 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Willison’s family of names
In English usage, Willison as a surname is a diminutive of Will.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 1
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Willison, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Wilfredo
“one who wishes for peace”
>99% boys
Jamieson
“the son of James”
>99% boys
Clinton
“from the town on the hill”
>99% boys
Zebulun
“one who has been exalted”
>99% boys
Dameon
“one who tames or subdues others”
>99% boys
Ikaika
“having great strength”
>99% boys
Jamin
“the right hand of favor”
>99% boys
Brenton
“from the hill”
>99% boys