Will registers 58 times in the pet data at rank 1760, strongly male. It's either a standalone name or — more likely in many of these registry records — the shortened form of William, Wilson, or Willis that an owner entered instead of the full name. Either way, it sits at the intersection of maximum brevity and maximum cultural familiarity.
The Standalone Short Name
Will as a complete pet name has the same appeal as Jack, Sam, or Max: short enough to call instantly, familiar enough to land without explanation, human enough to communicate that this pet is a genuine companion rather than a novelty. The name signals unpretentious affection — this is not a dog named after a concept or a character, just a dog with a solid, dependable name. Sam and Jack are its closest registry companions.
The Will Smiths and Shakespeares
Will carries two towering cultural anchors: Will Smith (the actor/musician whose cultural moment spans multiple decades) and Will Shakespeare (the playwright whose name has become synonymous with literary ambition). Both are available as subtext without either dominating. The human name Will is one of the most durable in English history and shows no sign of fading.
Counter-Reading
Will is so common as both a human name and a verb that it barely registers as a deliberate naming choice. Owners who want their pet name to be noticed should look elsewhere. Owners who want a name that simply works should look no further — Will is the lowest-friction option at this level of the registry.