Willow

Q: What is the origin of Willow?

Willow is of English origin. The name carries significant cultural meaning and has been used across generations within its origin tradition.

Q: Is Willow a girl name?

Willow is traditionally a girl name. Modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal choice and cultural context.

female

Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Willow Tree"

English botanical name referring to the willow tree, popular within modern nature-based naming trends.

Themes:treenatureenglishmodern

Nature Natural Classic Traditional Timeless

Fact-checked by Sarah Mitchell

B.A. Journalism, Northwestern University10+ Years Parenting WritingMom of Three • Parenting Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Willow

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#41Top 50

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Year

Selected Year Rank

#41

Willow was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year

same as 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Willow Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Willow.

11 ideas

Will

Nickname

Lolo

Nickname

wily

Nickname

will

Nickname

wie

Nickname

llow

Nickname

lowy

Nickname

Similar Names to Willow

female

Anna

AN-uh

“Grace; Favor”

#94

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Ashley

“Ash Tree Clearing”

#124

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Amanda

uh-MAN-duh

“Worthy of Love”

#496

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Amy

AY-mee

“Beloved”

#228

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Angela

AN-juh-luh

“Messenger; Angel”

#282

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Alice

“Noble Kind”

#62

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Ann

“Grace, Favor”

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Andrea

“Manly, Courageous”

#185

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Amber

“Amber Resin”

#541

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Annie

“Grace, Favor”

#191

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Baby Name Lists That Include Willow

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Willow, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

18 linked lists

Famous Willows

W
Willow Smith
American singer, actress and daughter of Will Smith

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Willow mean?

Willow means "Willow Tree". English botanical name referring to the willow tree, popular within modern nature-based naming trends.

What is the origin of Willow?

Willow is of English origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.

How popular is the name Willow?

According to the latest SSA data, Willow is currently ranked #41 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.

Is Willow a girl name?

Willow is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.

What are good nicknames for Willow?

Popular nicknames for Willow include Will, Lo, Lolo, wily, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.

What names are similar to Willow?

There are many names similar to Willow in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginEnglish

Syllables2

Length6 letters

US Rank#41

Trend→ Stable

Starts withW

Sibling Ideas

Brothers

Carter Cooper Grayson Hudson Jack

Sisters

Evelyn Hazel Harper Ivy Lily

Explore More Girl Names Like Willow

Willow has English roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our English baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Willow appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Nature and Earth-Inspired Nature Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Timeless Classic Baby Names and Traditional English Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Willow pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Willow beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.