Of Germanic origin.
It means “firmly brave”.
Willard was used as an English surname, deriving from the Germanic masculine name “Willihard”.
In Old English the name was used in the form of “Wilheard”.
Willihard is a combination of the Germanic elements “wil”, meaning “will, desire” and “hard”, meaning “brave” or “hardy”.
Famous bearers are Willard Carroll “Will” Smith Jr., Willard Scott, Willard Boyle, Willard Huyck.
Will Smith, is an actor, producer, songwriter. A Grammy Award winning rapper and, according to a 2007 Newsweek’s magazine article, one of Hollywood’s most powerful actors.
In the following video, Will Smith shares some thoughts, in several interviews: