Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Willow Name Meaning
Fact: The name Willow is often chosen for its cultural symbolism of healing and poetic beauty, frequently appearing in literary and artistic works.
Continue Reading…Willow Overview
Meaning
Willow tree
Gender
Girl
Origin
Old English
Etymology
Derived from Old English, referring to the tree known for its slender, flexible branches.
Religion
Christianity
Pronunciation
/ˈwɪloʊ/
Popularity
Ranked at 37th most common name in America in 2022
Syllable
2 syllables
Length
6 letters
Numerology
4 (Orderly, Steady, Service-oriented)
Name Styles
Nature-inspired, Popular, Cool, Cute
Associated Traits
Graceful, resilient
Willow Variations in Different Cultures
Popular Variations
Willoughby, Arava, Osier, Wilford, Selby, Salton, Liu, Lian
Common Nicknames
Will, Willy, Wills, Willi, Lo, Lee, Willow Bee, Wilo, Willa, Lowie
Diminutives
Willie, Willa, Willin, Willot, Wilma, Willo
Famous People
- Willow Smith
(American Singer and Actress) - Willow Shields
(Actress) - Willow Bay
(Journalist) - Willow Hand
(Model) - Willow Palin
(Public Figure)
Pop Culture Icons and Works
- Willow Rosenberg
("Buffy the Vampire Slayer," TV Series)
Places
- Willow City
(North Dakota, USA) - Willow Creek Community
(California, USA)
What Is the Meaning of Willow?
The name Willow refers to the willow tree. It is often chosen for its association with the graceful and resilient qualities of the tree itself.
What Is the Origin of The Name Willow?
The name Willow comes from Old English. It originally referred to the tree known for its slender, flexible branches.
Willow Name Popularity
- Popularity Trends (U.S.)
- Raw Data (U.S.)
- States Overview (U.S.)
- Other Areas
Popularity Chart of the Name Willow in the U.S. over the Years
![]() | #392021 | #372022 | #412023 |
Top 3 Rankings | #372022 | #392021 | #412023 |
Annual Statistics Breakdown for Willow
Year | Name Ranking | Number of Births | Birth Rate (%) |
---|---|---|---|
2023 | 41 (-4 from 2022) | 4727 (-323 from 2022) | 0.27024 |
2022 | 37 (+2 from 2021) | 5050 (-135 from 2021) | 0.28164 |
2021 | 39 (+9 from 2020) | 5185 (+795 from 2020) | 0.28941 |
2020 | 48 (-3 from 2019) | 4390 (-209 from 2019) | 0.24835 |
2019 | 45 (+15 from 2018) | 4599 (+669 from 2018) | 0.25064 |
2018 | 60 (+20 from 2017) | 3930 (+363 from 2017) | 0.21133 |
2017 | 80 (+16 from 2016) | 3567 (+443 from 2016) | 0.18881 |
2016 | 96 (+15 from 2015) | 3124 (+315 from 2015) | 0.16137 |
2015 | 111 (+25 from 2014) | 2809 (+401 from 2014) | 0.14399 |
2014 | 136 (+19 from 2013) | 2408 (+329 from 2013) | 0.12309 |
2013 | 155 (+16 from 2012) | 2079 (+243 from 2012) | 0.10785 |
2012 | 171 (+28 from 2011) | 1836 (+261 from 2011) | 0.09467 |
2011 | 199 (+90 from 2010) | 1575 (+456 from 2010) | 0.08128 |
2010 | 289 (+23 from 2009) | 1119 (+66 from 2009) | 0.05707 |
2009 | 312 (+93 from 2008) | 1053 (+257 from 2008) | 0.05200 |
2008 | 405 (+20 from 2007) | 796 (+25 from 2007) | 0.03822 |
2007 | 425 (+98 from 2006) | 771 (+193 from 2006) | 0.03643 |
2006 | 523 (+9 from 2005) | 578 (+36 from 2005) | 0.02765 |
2005 | 532 (+16 from 2004) | 542 (+23 from 2004) | 0.02671 |
2004 | 548 (-23 from 2003) | 519 (-18 from 2003) | 0.02572 |
2003 | 525 (-21 from 2002) | 537 (-9 from 2002) | 0.02676 |
2002 | 504 (+160 from 2001) | 546 (+167 from 2001) | 0.02765 |
2001 | 664 (+93 from 2000) | 379 (+78 from 2000) | 0.01913 |
2000 | 757 (-30 from 1999) | 301 (-9 from 1999) | 0.01508 |
1999 | 727 (+125 from 1998) | 310 (+60 from 1998) | 0.01592 |
1998 | 852 (+258 from 1997) | 250 (+81 from 1997) | 0.01290 |
1997 | 1110 (+238 from 1996) | 169 (+44 from 1996) | 0.00885 |
1996 | 1348 (+292 from 1995) | 125 (+35 from 1995) | 0.00652 |
1995 | 1640 (+104 from 1994) | 90 (+6 from 1994) | 0.00468 |
1994 | 1744 (+707 from 1993) | 84 (+33 from 1993) | 0.00431 |
1993 | 2451 (-65 from 1992) | 51 (-3 from 1992) | 0.00259 |
1992 | 2386 (-66 from 1991) | 54 (-1 from 1991) | 0.00269 |
1991 | 2320 (+1303 from 1990) | 55 (+26 from 1990) | 0.00270 |
1990 | 3623 (-578 from 1989) | 29 (-6 from 1989) | 0.00141 |
1989 | 3045 (+539 from 1988) | 35 (+9 from 1988) | 0.00176 |
1988 | 3584 (+399 from 1987) | 26 (+5 from 1987) | 0.00135 |
1987 | 3983 (-226 from 1986) | 21 (-1 from 1986) | 0.00112 |
1986 | 3757 (-1156 from 1985) | 22 (-15 from 1985) | 0.00119 |
1985 | 2601 (+314 from 1984) | 37 (+7 from 1984) | 0.00200 |
1984 | 2915 (-194 from 1983) | 30 (-2 from 1983) | 0.00166 |
1983 | 2721 (-352 from 1982) | 32 (-9 from 1982) | 0.00179 |
1982 | 2369 (+6 from 1981) | 41 No change from 1981 | 0.00226 |
1981 | 2375 (-570 from 1980) | 41 (-19 from 1980) | 0.00229 |
1980 | 1805 (-52 from 1979) | 60 (-2 from 1979) | 0.00337 |
1979 | 1753 (-251 from 1978) | 62 (-13 from 1978) | 0.00360 |
1978 | 1502 (+135 from 1977) | 75 (+11 from 1977) | 0.00456 |
1977 | 1637 (-102 from 1976) | 64 (-2 from 1976) | 0.00389 |
1976 | 1535 (+220 from 1975) | 66 (+13 from 1975) | 0.00420 |
1975 | 1755 (-67 from 1974) | 53 (-1 from 1974) | 0.00340 |
1974 | 1688 (+226 from 1973) | 54 (+11 from 1973) | 0.00345 |
1973 | 1914 (+396 from 1972) | 43 (+11 from 1972) | 0.00277 |
1972 | 2310 (+30 from 1971) | 32 (-1 from 1971) | 0.00198 |
1971 | 2340 (+868 from 1970) | 33 (+13 from 1970) | 0.00188 |
1970 | 3208 (+110 from 1969) | 20 (+3 from 1969) | 0.00109 |
1969 | 3318 (+137 from 1968) | 17 (+2 from 1968) | 0.00096 |
1968 | 3455 (+845 from 1967) | 15 (+5 from 1967) | 0.00088 |
1967 | 4300 (-900 from 1966) | 10 (-4 from 1966) | 0.00058 |
1966 | 3400 (+552 from 1965) | 14 (+3 from 1965) | 0.00080 |
1965 | 3952 (-1126 from 1964) | 11 (-9 from 1964) | 0.00060 |
1964 | 2826 (+975 from 1963) | 20 (+8 from 1963) | 0.00102 |
1963 | 3801 (-19 from 1962) | 12 No change from 1962 | 0.00060 |
1962 | 3782 (-174 from 1961) | 12 (-1 from 1961) | 0.00059 |
1961 | 3608 (-397 from 1960) | 13 (-2 from 1960) | 0.00063 |
1960 | 3211 (+226 from 1959) | 15 (+2 from 1959) | 0.00072 |
1959 | 3437 (+1083 from 1958) | 13 (+5 from 1958) | 0.00063 |
1958 | 4520 (-1370 from 1957) | 8 (-6 from 1957) | 0.00039 |
1957 | 3150 (-221 from 1956) | 14 (-2 from 1956) | 0.00067 |
1956 | 2929 (-518 from 1955) | 16 (-5 from 1955) | 0.00078 |
1955 | 2411 (+914 from 1954) | 21 (+9 from 1954) | 0.00105 |
1954 | 3325 (-730 from 1953) | 12 (-5 from 1953) | 0.00060 |
1953 | 2595 (+957 from 1952) | 17 (+7 from 1952) | 0.00088 |
1952 | 3552 (-615 from 1951) | 10 (-3 from 1951) | 0.00053 |
1951 | 2937 (-157 from 1950) | 13 (-1 from 1950) | 0.00070 |
1950 | 2780 (+219 from 1949) | 14 (+2 from 1949) | 0.00080 |
1949 | 2999 (-670 from 1948) | 12 (-6 from 1948) | 0.00068 |
1948 | 2329 (-337 from 1947) | 18 (-6 from 1947) | 0.00103 |
1947 | 1992 (+102 from 1946) | 24 (+4 from 1946) | 0.00132 |
1946 | 2094 (-269 from 1945) | 20 (-1 from 1945) | 0.00124 |
1945 | 1825 (-82 from 1944) | 21 (-2 from 1944) | 0.00156 |
1944 | 1743 (+704 from 1943) | 23 (+9 from 1943) | 0.00168 |
1943 | 2447 (+219 from 1942) | 14 (+2 from 1942) | 0.00098 |
1942 | 2666 (-476 from 1941) | 12 (-3 from 1941) | 0.00086 |
1941 | 2190 (-162 from 1940) | 15 (-1 from 1940) | 0.00120 |
1940 | 2028 (-231 from 1939) | 16 (-3 from 1939) | 0.00135 |
1939 | 1797 (-146 from 1938) | 19 (-3 from 1938) | 0.00168 |
1938 | 1651 (+666 from 1937) | 22 (+9 from 1937) | 0.00193 |
1937 | 2317 (-810 from 1936) | 13 (-11 from 1936) | 0.00118 |
1936 | 1507 (+699 from 1935) | 24 (+10 from 1935) | 0.00223 |
1935 | 2206 (-650 from 1934) | 14 (-9 from 1934) | 0.00129 |
1934 | 1556 (-43 from 1933) | 23 (-1 from 1933) | 0.00213 |
1933 | 1513 (-25 from 1932) | 24 (-2 from 1932) | 0.00229 |
1932 | 1488 (+61 from 1931) | 26 (+2 from 1931) | 0.00235 |
1931 | 1549 (+326 from 1930) | 24 (+5 from 1930) | 0.00217 |
1930 | 1875 (-349 from 1929) | 19 (-7 from 1929) | 0.00163 |
1929 | 1526 (-101 from 1928) | 26 (-4 from 1928) | 0.00225 |
1928 | 1425 (+347 from 1927) | 30 (+7 from 1927) | 0.00251 |
1927 | 1772 (-447 from 1926) | 23 (-12 from 1926) | 0.00186 |
1926 | 1325 (+284 from 1925) | 35 (+8 from 1925) | 0.00285 |
1925 | 1609 (+70 from 1924) | 27 (+1 from 1924) | 0.00214 |
1924 | 1679 (-81 from 1923) | 26 (-1 from 1923) | 0.00201 |
1923 | 1598 (+789 from 1922) | 27 (+12 from 1922) | 0.00216 |
1922 | 2387 (-566 from 1921) | 15 (-8 from 1921) | 0.00120 |
1921 | 1821 (+131 from 1920) | 23 (+3 from 1920) | 0.00180 |
1920 | 1952 (+432 from 1919) | 20 (+6 from 1919) | 0.00161 |
1919 | 2384 (-95 from 1918) | 14 (-1 from 1918) | 0.00119 |
1918 | 2289 (+590 from 1917) | 15 (+5 from 1917) | 0.00125 |
1917 | 2879 (-1140 from 1916) | 10 (-10 from 1916) | 0.00089 |
1916 | 1739 (-216 from 1915) | 20 (-3 from 1915) | 0.00184 |
1915 | 1523 (+602 from 1914) | 23 (+12 from 1914) | 0.00225 |
1914 | 2125 (-359 from 1913) | 11 (-1 from 1913) | 0.00138 |
1913 | 1766 (+868 from 1912) | 12 (+6 from 1912) | 0.00183 |
1912 | 2634 (-426 from 1909) | 6 (+1 from 1909) | 0.00102 |
1911 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
1910 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
1909 | 2208 (-769 from 1908) | 5 (-4 from 1908) | 0.00136 |
1908 | 1439 (+622 from 1907) | 9 (+4 from 1907) | 0.00254 |
1907 | 2061 (-645 from 1906) | 5 (-3 from 1906) | 0.00148 |
1906 | 1416 (-52 from 1904) | 8 No change from 1904 | 0.00255 |
1905 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
1904 | 1364 (+429 from 1902) | 8 (+3 from 1902) | 0.00274 |
1903 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
1902 | 1793 (-455 from 1890) | 5 No change from 1890 | 0.00178 |
1901 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
1900 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
1899 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
1898 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
1897 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
1896 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
1895 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
1894 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
1893 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
1892 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
1891 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
1890 | 1338 First SSA data recorded | 5 First SSA data recorded | 0.00248 |
1889 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
1888 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
1887 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
1886 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
1885 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
1884 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
1883 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
1882 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
1881 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
1880 | 0 No SSA data | 0 No SSA data | 0.0000 |
American States Popularity Rankings for Willow
(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births)
California (CA)
#922021 | #1002022 | #1492023 |
Texas (TX)
#792021 | #782022 | #842023 |
Ohio (OH)
#172021 | #182022 | #112023 |
Pennsylvania (PA)
#182021 | #162022 | #352023 |
Florida (FL)
#622021 | #522022 | #632023 |
North Carolina (NC)
#192021 | #192022 | #232023 |
Michigan (MI)
#222021 | #212022 | #282023 |
Tennessee (TN)
#132021 | #102022 | #122023 |
New York (NY)
#982021 | #662022 | #792023 |
Indiana (IN)
#122021 | #152022 | #122023 |
Illinois (IL)
#402021 | #482022 | #472023 |
Georgia (GA)
#342021 | #302022 | #272023 |
Missouri (MO)
#152021 | #112022 | #112023 |
Washington (WA)
#282021 | #362022 | #352023 |
Virginia (VA)
#302021 | #372022 | #322023 |
Wisconsin (WI)
#152021 | #172022 | #232023 |
Kentucky (KY)
#82021 | #102022 | #72023 |
Minnesota (MN)
#372021 | #452022 | #512023 |
Colorado (CO)
#362021 | #472022 | #452023 |
Alabama (AL)
#242021 | #172022 | #142023 |
Oregon (OR)
#142021 | #172022 | #482023 |
Oklahoma (OK)
#162021 | #212022 | #132023 |
Arizona (AZ)
#532021 | #592022 | #402023 |
Iowa (IA)
#102021 | #192022 | #152023 |
South Carolina (SC)
#322021 | #222022 | #192023 |
Arkansas (AR)
#132021 | #82022 | #132023 |
Massachusetts (MA)
#872021 | #862022 | #952023 |
Maryland (MD)
#542021 | #552022 | #632023 |
New Jersey (NJ)
#1042021 | #1012022 | #1222023 |
Utah (UT)
#322021 | #352022 | #502023 |
West Virginia (WV)
#42021 | #42022 | #52023 |
Kansas (KS)
#242021 | #232022 | #272023 |
Louisiana (LA)
#532021 | #492022 | #372023 |
Nebraska (NE)
#172021 | #312022 | #212023 |
Maine (ME)
#102021 | #172022 | #332023 |
Idaho (ID)
#192021 | #112022 | #102023 |
Mississippi (MS)
#272021 | #272022 | #322023 |
Nevada (NV)
#422021 | #642022 | #522023 |
Connecticut (CT)
#952021 | #762022 | #1012023 |
New Hampshire (NH)
#302021 | #262022 | #542023 |
Montana (MT)
#92021 | #172022 | #122023 |
Alaska (AK)
#212021 | #132022 | #352023 |
South Dakota (SD)
#112021 | #512022 | #132023 |
North Dakota (ND)
#172021 | #272022 | #92023 |
Vermont (VT)
#692021 | #372022 | #292023 |
New Mexico (NM)
#942021 | #682022 | #1032023 |
Delaware (DE)
#312021 | #552022 | #392023 |
Rhode Island (RI)
#462021 | #602022 | #2122023 |
Wyoming (WY)
#52019 | #272021 | #422023 |
Hawaii (HI)
#772021 | #732022 | #962023 |
District of Columbia (DC)
#2872019 | #2042021 | #2192023 |
Popularity Rankings for Willow in other Countries and American Territories
(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)
Popularity in New Zealand
![]() | #62021 | #72022 | #62023 |
Popularity in Australia (NSW)
![]() | #142021 | #102022 | #192023 |
Popularity in England and Wales
![]() | #192019 | #122020 | #102021 |
Popularity in Scotland
![]() | #262021 | #252022 | #232023 |
Popularity in Northern Ireland
![]() | #242021 | #322022 | #452023 |
Popularity in Ireland
![]() | #292021 | #372022 | #502023 |
Popularity in Canada
![]() | #422021 | #442022 | #392023 |
Popularity in Quebec, Canada
![]() | #6132020 | #2402021 | #2782022 |
Popularity in Poland
![]() | #7242015 | #7112016 |
Popularity in Switzerland
![]() | #7562022 |
Popularity in Sweden
![]() | #8352022 | #8802023 |
Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources
Is Willow a Name for Boys or Girls?
Willow is primarily used as a girl’s name. Its use for boys is less common but still valid.
Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Willow
- Variant Names
- Nicknames
- Diminutives
- Middle Names
- Willoughby
- Arava
- Osier
- Wilford
- Selby
- Salton
- Liu
- Lian
- Will
- Willy
- Wills
- Willi
- Lo
- Lee
- Willow Bee
- Wilo
- Willa
- Lowie
- Willie
- Willa
- Willin
- Willot
- Wilma
- Willo
- Seraphina
- Juniper
- Ember
- Thea
- Sage
- Celeste
- Eden
- Faye
- Quinn
- Maeve
Willow in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places
- Famous People
- In Popular Culture
- Places
- Willow Smith (Singer and Actress, Born 2000): A multi-talented American artist, daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, known for her music career and roles in films like "I Am Legend" and "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl."
- Willow Shields (Actress, Born 2000): An American actress has gained fame as Primrose Everdeen in "The Hunger Games" film series and starred in the Netflix series "Spinning Out".
- Willow Bay (Journalist, Born 1963): An American television journalist and academic, currently serving as the Dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism .
- Willow Hand (Model, Born 1998): This American girl is known for opening Prada’s A/W fashion show at 16 years old and walking in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2018 .
- Willow Palin (Public Figure, Born 1994): Known primarily for being the daughter of Sarah Palin, the former governor of Alaska .
- Willow Rosenberg ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer," 1997 TV Series): A key character in the TV show "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," portrayed by Alyson Hannigan, who develops from a shy high school student to a powerful witch .
- Willow City (North Dakota, USA): A small, picturesque city known for its scenic drives and rural charm.
- Willow Creek Community (California, USA): Known as the "Bigfoot Capital of the World," it's a focal point for enthusiasts of the legendary creature.
Similar Names to Willow
- Names with Similar Sound
- Names with Similar Meanings
- Milo
- Harlow
- Winslow
- Marlow
- Shiloh
- Wilma
- Willo
- Wilson
- Arlo
- Rowan
- Hazel
- Olive
- Laurel
- Aspen
- Holly
- Linden
- Cedar
- Birch
- Maple
Sibling Names for Willow
- For a Brother
- For a Sister
- River
- Sage
- Jasper
- Asher
- Rowan
- Leo
- Finn
- Cedar
- Forrest
- Oliver
- Ivy
- Daisy
- Violet
- Ruby
- Summer
- Autumn
- Lily
- Hazel
- Aurora
- Elowen
Parents Who Like the Name Willow Also Like
- Ivy
- Hazel
- Harper
- Luna
- River
- Rowan
- Oliver
- Violet
- Aurora
- Nova
Delving into the meaning of the name Willow reveals its deep roots in nature and symbolism of resilience. If you’re drawn to this beautiful name, or if it holds a special place in your heart, I’d love to hear your stories! Drop your thoughts in the comments below and click like or share the article to others who are also looking for the meaning of the name Willow.
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Expertise
Child Development Specialist, Child-care Coordinator, Family Support Specialist, Content Writer, Communications Specialist, Educational Consultant, STEAM Teacher
Education
1. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Literature and Journalism
- Focus: In-depth knowledge of Literature, knowledge and skills to perceive, create literature or work in related fields; Basic knowledge of communications.
2. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Program: Bachelor’s degree in Education Faculty
- Focus: Core knowledge of social sciences and humanities – the root for the development of progressive values of education, Multicultural communication in education, Contemporary education in the context of globalization, Learning in the digital technology era, Basic issues of STEAM education, Classroom Management, Special education.
3. Oregon State University, Oregan, US
- Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Human Development and Family Sciences – Child Development
- Focus: Different stages of development, from infancy to adulthood; Develop a strong foundation for a career in early childhood programs or classrooms; Learn strategies for supporting young children’s development in early childhood settings.
Helen is an experienced educational specialist and content creator, known for her innovative approach to children’s learning. With a background in literature and child development, she composes engaging educational content for SimpleKids.net. Her work emphasizes creativity, engagement, and simplicity, aiming to make learning enjoyable and accessible for children and their families.