Ava vs Willow

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Willow

Girl #41 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"From Old English 'welig', the willow tree; a nature name associated with flowing water and healing"

Origin: English

Cultural Roots

English American Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#41
Total SSA Count
4,653
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Will, Wills, Willa

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Willow →

Popularity Comparison

Ava Rank #9
Willow Rank #41

Ava is more popular, ranked #9 vs #41 for Willow.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Ava ___

  • Ava Rose
  • Ava Grace
  • Ava Marie
  • Ava Claire
  • Ava Elizabeth
  • Ava Mae

Willow ___

  • Willow Rose
  • Willow Jane
  • Willow Mae
  • Willow Grace
  • Willow Claire
  • Willow Faith

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Ava

Liam Noah Olivia Sophia Isabella

If you choose Willow

Ivy Hazel Violet Jasper Rowan

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ava or Willow more popular?

Ava is more popular, ranked #9 compared to Willow at #41 in the United States.

What do Ava and Willow mean?

Ava means "life" (Germanic origin). Willow means "From Old English 'welig', the willow tree; a nature name associated with flowing water and healing" (English origin).

Are Ava and Willow boy or girl names?

Ava is primarily a girl name. Willow is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

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← Full profile: Ava ← Full profile: Willow Browse all baby names