Vili
A boy's name of Old Norse origin with 11 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Vili reads as a modern invention — a name that emerged in the 2000s and was likely coined by parents looking for something fresh rather than inherited.
The open, approachable quality of its ending — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression — keeps the name compact and easy to pair with longer middle names or surnames.
In the most recent SSA release, Vili ranks #12208 among U.S. boy names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Vili is a boy's baby name of Old Norse origin, from the Norse Vili, meaning 'will, determination.' In Norse mythology, Vili was one of Odin's two brothers — together with Odin and Vé, the three brothers killed the primordial giant Ymir and created the world from his body, giving the first humans their breath, mind, and will. Vili's specific gift to humanity was the power of the will and the senses.
Vili carries the mythological gift to humanity — it was Vili who gave humans their will and their senses, the first brother to bestow on mortals the ability to feel and choose. A name that carries the gift of willing and sensing from one of Norse mythology's most fundamental creative acts.
EtymologyShow more
Vili appeared in SSA records in 2008, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly draw from global cultures, invent new names, and blend sounds to create something entirely original. Its Old Norse roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
With only 11 recorded births, Vili has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Vili has 2+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2008.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 6 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 5 | — |
The Story of Vili
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2024, Vili is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Vili are most likely born between 2014 and 2024.
How rare is Vili?
Only about 1 in every 600,000 babies born in 2024 was named Vili — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2008, peaked in the 2020s with 6 births that decade.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(2 years, 2008–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | #12208 |
| 2008 | 5 | #14493 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vili a boy's or girl's name?
When was Vili most popular?
How popular is the name Vili?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2008–2024