Grainne Willis

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Grainne Willis — grain goddess
150K People worldwide
Ireland Most common in
1985s Peak popularity
Gender
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Grainne Willis is a name that combines Celtic origins. The first name Grainne is a feminine given name of Celtic origin. From Irish Gaelic Gráinne, meaning 'grain goddess' or possibly from grá (love). Gráinne Ní Mháille (Grace O'Malley) was the legendary Irish pirate queen. The surname Willis: Willis is a surname of English, Norman French, and Scottish origin. The oldest extant family of the name, the Willes family of Warwickshire, formerly of Newbold Comyn and Fenny Compton, has used the spellings 'Willis,' 'Willys,' and 'Wyllys' and appear in records from 1330. In this case, the name derives from the name de Welles (under which name the family were Lincolnshire noblemen) which comes from the Norman name de Vallibus (meaning 'of the valley'), which in turn was derived from the Vaux family tree. Grainne is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 150K people globally, with the highest concentration in Ireland. The name Grainne reached peak popularity in the 1985s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Grainne

Meaning: grain goddess

Celtic

From Irish Gaelic Gráinne, meaning 'grain goddess' or possibly from grá (love). Gráinne Ní Mháille (Grace O'Malley) was the legendary Irish pirate queen.

Surname: Willis

French

Willis is a surname of English, Norman French, and Scottish origin. The oldest extant family of the name, the Willes family of Warwickshire, formerly of Newbold Comyn and Fenny Compton, has used the spellings 'Willis,' 'Willys,' and 'Wyllys' and appear in records from 1330. In this case, the name derives from the name de Welles (under which name the family were Lincolnshire noblemen) which comes from the Norman name de Vallibus (meaning 'of the valley'), which in turn was derived from the Vaux family tree.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Grainne is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

Ireland 86%
United Kingdom 14%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Grainne by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Grainne Willis:

8
Expression Number

Ambition and material success. Represents power, business acumen and the drive to achieve significant goals.

6
Soul Urge Number

Nurturing and responsibility. Associated with care, family values and a strong sense of duty towards loved ones.

11
Personality Number

Intuition and inspiration (Master Number 11). Amplifies spiritual awareness, creative vision and sensitivity.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Grainne?
The first name Grainne originates from Celtic. From Irish Gaelic Gráinne, meaning 'grain goddess' or possibly from grá (love). Gráinne Ní Mháille (Grace O'Malley) was the legendary Irish pirate queen.
When was Grainne most popular?
The name Grainne reached its peak popularity during the 1985s.
What is the origin of the surname Willis?
The surname Willis originates from French. Willis is a surname of English, Norman French, and Scottish origin. The oldest extant family of the name, the Willes family of Warwickshire, formerly of Newbold Comyn and Fenny Compton, has used the spellings 'Willis,' 'Willys,' and 'Wyllys' and appear in records from 1330. In this case, the name derives from the name de Welles (under which name the family were Lincolnshire noblemen) which comes from the Norman name de Vallibus (meaning 'of the valley'), which in turn was derived from the Vaux family tree.
What are the origins of the name Grainne Willis?
The name Grainne Willis combines two different traditions: the first name Grainne has Celtic roots, while the surname Willis originates from French.
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