Samara vs Willa

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Willa

Girl #423 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"resolute protector"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English German American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#423
Total SSA Count
729
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Will, Willi

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Willa →

Popularity Comparison

Samara Rank #309
Willa Rank #423

Samara is more popular, ranked #309 vs #423 for Willa.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Samara ___

  • Samara Samara Grace
  • Samara Samara Joy
  • Samara Samara Elise
  • Samara Samara Rose
  • Samara Samara Leigh

Willa ___

  • Willa Grace
  • Willa Rose
  • Willa Jane
  • Willa Mae
  • Willa Claire
  • Willa Kate

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Samara

Nadia Zara Elara Callum Jasper

If you choose Willa

Hazel June Cecily Theodore Edmund

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 Samara or Willa more popular?

Samara is more popular, ranked #309 compared to Willa at #423 in the United States.

What do Samara and Willa mean?

Willa means "resolute protector" (Germanic origin).

Are Samara and Willa boy or girl names?

Samara is primarily a girl name. Willa is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

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← Full profile: Samara ← Full profile: Willa Browse all baby names