In late 1908, Jack Johnson became the first African-American world heavyweight boxing champion.
During Johnson’s reign, promoters actively searched for a “great white hope” — a white contender to defeat him.
Several white boxers (including former title holder James Jeffries) challenged Johnson, but were unsuccessful.
The one who finally triumphed? Jess Willard.
In April of 1915, Willard — a six-and-a-half-foot-tall Kansas-born wheat farmer — fought Johnson in Havana, Cuba. Upon knocking Johnson out in the 26th round, Willard became the new heavyweight champion.
The same year, the baby names Jess and Willard both reached peak usage (and Willard its highest-ever ranking) among U.S. babies:
| Boys named Jess | Boys named Willard | |
| 1917 | 352 (rank: 273rd) | 2,188 (rank: 80th) |
| 1916 | 485 (rank: 220th) | 2,413 (rank: 69th) |
| 1915 | 577† (rank: 193rd) | 2,889† (rank: 58th) |
| 1914 | 258 (rank: 271st) | 1,302 (rank: 92nd) |
| 1913 | 180 (rank: 296th) | 926 (rank: 99th) |
(The rise of both names during first half of the 1910s was also likely fueled by Jess Willard, who’d been boxing professionally since early 1911.)
“Jess” and “Willard” were particularly popular in a handful of U.S states:
| Rank of Jess in 1915 | Rank of Willard in 1915 | |
| West Virginia | 64th (35 boys) | 19th (117 boys) |
| Oklahoma | 71st (56 boys) | 33rd (100 boys) |
| Kentucky | 89th (37 boys) | 36th (113 boys) |
| Virginia | 200th (13 boys) | 39th (90 boys) |
| Kansas | 120th (20 boys) | 40th (82 boys) |
| Tennessee | 78th (41 boys) | 41st (89 boys) |
| Missouri | 108th (40 boys) | 42nd (134 boys) |
According to records, hundreds of the baby boys named Jess in 1915 were also given the middle name Willard. Some examples…
- Jess Willard Foxhall, b. 1915 in Alabama
- Jess Willard Stout, b. 1915 in Arkansas
- Jess Willard Beaty, b. 1915 in Georgia
- He had a younger sister named Corliss, likely after aspiring actress Corliss Palmer.
- Jess Willard Allison, b. 1915 in Kansas
- Jess Willard Bocook, b. 1915 in Kentucky
- Jess Willard Nelson, b. 1915 in Nebraska
- Jess Willard Etheridge, b. 1915 in North Carolina
- Jess Willard Cagle, b. 1915 in Missouri
- Jess Willard Pike, b. 1915 in Oklahoma
- He had a younger brother named Harold Lloyd, possibly after comedic actor Harold Lloyd.
- Jess Willard Gurley, b. 1915 in Tennessee
- Jess Willard Spykes, b. 1915 in Texas
- Jess Willard Rivard, b. 1915 in Utah
- Jess Willard Ferrell, b. 1915 in West Virginia
Many other babies were also given the first-middle combo “Jess Willard” during the ensuing years of Willard’s reign, which ended in July of 1919 (when Willard was knocked out by Jack Dempsey).
What are your thoughts on the boy names Jess and Willard? (Which one do you prefer?)
P.S. The second African-American to win the title of world heavyweight boxing champion was Joe Louis, in 1937.
Sources:
- Jess Willard – Wikipedia
- Jess Willard – Britannica
- Mannix, Chris. “Remembering Jack Johnson, the First Black Heavyweight Boxing Champion.” Sports Illustrated 15 Feb. 2023.
- FamilySearch.org
- SSA
Image: Adapted from Jess Willard 1915 (LOC) and Knockout – Willard-Johnson fight, Havana (LOC)
I love Jess/Jesse for boys and Jess/Jessie for girls. Not crazy about Jessica, though. Probably just overexposure in the 1990s.
I didn’t realize that’s what “great white hope” meant. That makes me cringe. No matter, I hate boxing anyway.
In the movie “Footloose”, the lead character’s best friend was named Willard. He could fictionally be named for a family relative who had been part of that first popular name wave.
@Sharky – It’s sad that a phrase like that even came into being.
@Brenda Miller – I like that you made that connection!