Pronunciation: [ w-IHL-oh ]
Does Willow flow with your last name?
Graceful as a tree that bends but never breaks
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"From Old English 'welig', the willow tree; a nature name associated with flowing water and healing"
"willow tree"
"freedom, grace"
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Browse nicknames →Willow is derived from the Old English 'welig', the name of the weeping willow tree. Willows have been symbolically significant across many cultures — associated with water, moon magic, grief, and healing in Celtic tradition, and with immortality and new life in Chinese culture. As a given name, Willow emerged in the 20th century as part of the nature name movement.
Willow's rise accelerated in the 2000s, boosted by the beloved witch character Willow Rosenberg in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith naming their daughter Willow in 2000. The name entered the US top 100 around 2014 and has continued climbing.
In Celtic tradition, the willow tree was sacred to the goddess Hecate and associated with the moon and water. In Chinese culture, willow branches are used to sweep away evil spirits. The weeping willow has become a universal symbol of grief and remembrance.
Willow first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 59,494 babies have been named Willow in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Willow is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #41 for girl names in the US .
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Musician
2000
American singer-songwriter and daughter of Will Smith, known for 'Whip My Hair' and her album 'lately I feel EVERYTHING'
Other
Beloved witch character in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, played by Alyson Hannigan, known for LGBTQ+ storylines
Top states by rank · 2024
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Willow
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Willow is also used as a boy name, ranked #3688.
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Latin origin
"Star"
#49 in US
Hebrew origin
"lady, queen"
#187 in US
Germanic origin
"noble, nobility"
#193 in US
French origin
"full of life"
#184 in US
Greek origin
"eternal life (early Christian use)"
#29 in US
Hebrew/Welsh origin
"ewe, gentle; lake"
#113 in US
Sanskrit origin
"swift, agile"
#162 in US
Italian origin
"reddish-brown earth pigment"
#139 in US
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Willow is a girl name with English, American, and Australian origins . The name means "From Old English 'welig', the willow tree; a nature name associated with flowing water and healing" in English .
Is Willow a boy or girl name? Willow is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #41 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #3,688. Willow is more commonly used as a girl name.
Willow is currently ranked #41 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Willow has 2 syllables and is pronounced w-IHL-oh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Willow include Will, Wills, and Willa. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Willow include Willa, Willamina . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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