Girl
Willa
resolute protection
About Willa
Imagine a name that whispers of vintage charm while standing firmly in modern sophistication. Willa embodies strength wrapped in elegance, a combination rarely achieved with such grace. Picture literary heroines and creative spirits—this name has housed them all. The double-L creates a lyrical quality that rolls off the tongue with unexpected pleasure. Willa suggests someone independent yet compassionate, artistic yet grounded. It's short enough to be memorable but distinctive enough to stand out in any classroom or conference room. Consider how few names manage to feel both timeless and contemporary simultaneously. Willa accomplishes this with apparent ease. For parents seeking something beyond the ordinary without venturing into the obscure, this name offers the perfect balance. It carries weight without heaviness, femininity without frills, and character without pretension.
Popularity of the Name Willa
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | United Kingdom | New Zealand | Ireland | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | #517 | ||||
| 1881 | #579 | ||||
| 1882 | #492 | ||||
| 1883 | #434 | ||||
| 1884 | #540 | ||||
| 1885 | #427 | ||||
| 1886 | #394 | ||||
| 1887 | #397 | ||||
| 1888 | #393 | ||||
| 1889 | #386 | ||||
| 1890 | #360 | ||||
| 1891 | #429 | ||||
| 1892 | #377 | ||||
| 1893 | #390 | ||||
| 1894 | #428 | ||||
| 1895 | #390 | ||||
| 1896 | #357 | ||||
| 1897 | #381 | ||||
| 1898 | #400 | ||||
| 1899 | #373 | ||||
| 1900 | #369 | ||||
| 1901 | #403 | ||||
| 1902 | #390 | ||||
| 1903 | #360 | ||||
| 1904 | #342 | ||||
| 1905 | #349 | ||||
| 1906 | #340 | ||||
| 1907 | #339 | ||||
| 1908 | #364 | ||||
| 1909 | #329 | ||||
| 1910 | #342 | ||||
| 1911 | #329 | ||||
| 1912 | #344 | ||||
| 1913 | #334 | ||||
| 1914 | #332 | ||||
| 1915 | #347 | ||||
| 1916 | #349 | ||||
| 1917 | #341 | ||||
| 1918 | #311 | ||||
| 1919 | #325 | ||||
| 1920 | #317 | ||||
| 1921 | #328 | ||||
| 1922 | #319 | ||||
| 1923 | #301 | ||||
| 1924 | #307 | ||||
| 1925 | #296 | ||||
| 1926 | #288 | ||||
| 1927 | #278 | ||||
| 1928 | #299 | ||||
| 1929 | #294 | ||||
| 1930 | #293 | ||||
| 1931 | #300 | ||||
| 1932 | #274 | ||||
| 1933 | #280 | ||||
| 1934 | #278 | ||||
| 1935 | #298 | ||||
| 1936 | #281 | ||||
| 1937 | #308 | ||||
| 1938 | #330 | ||||
| 1939 | #320 | ||||
| 1940 | #329 | ||||
| 1941 | #331 | ||||
| 1942 | #338 | ||||
| 1943 | #380 | ||||
| 1944 | #360 | ||||
| 1945 | #380 | ||||
| 1946 | #448 | ||||
| 1947 | #471 | ||||
| 1948 | #530 | ||||
| 1949 | #468 | ||||
| 1950 | #506 | ||||
| 1951 | #546 | ||||
| 1952 | #507 | ||||
| 1953 | #584 | ||||
| 1954 | #602 | ||||
| 1955 | #600 | ||||
| 1956 | #703 | ||||
| 1957 | #769 | ||||
| 1958 | #787 | ||||
| 1959 | #881 | ||||
| 1960 | #853 | ||||
| 1961 | #919 | ||||
| 1962 | #913 | ||||
| 2010 | #954 | ||||
| 2011 | #984 | #864 | |||
| 2012 | #717 | #315 | #779 | ||
| 2013 | #697 | #196 | #717 | ||
| 2014 | #551 | #261 | #649 | ||
| 2015 | #481 | #170 | #504 | ||
| 2016 | #461 | #179 | #448 | ||
| 2017 | #454 | #941 | #181 | #443 | |
| 2018 | #383 | #822 | #165 | #855 | #438 |
| 2019 | #356 | #860 | #138 | #471 | |
| 2020 | #350 | #991 | #139 | #408 | |
| 2021 | #351 | #122 | #279 | ||
| 2022 | #396 | #889 | #135 | #382 | |
| 2023 | #430 | #996 | #186 | #349 | |
| 2024 | #423 | #671 | #237 | #464 | |
| 2025 | #422 | #756 | #137 | #366 |
Top names by country: United States · United Kingdom · New Zealand · Ireland · Canada
Variations of Name Willa
- Wilhelmina
- Willamina
- Wilma
- Wilhelmine
- Willow
Names Similar to Willa
Nicknames for Willa
- Will
- Willow
- Willy
- Billie
Famous People Named Willa
| Willa Cather | Acclaimed American author known for novels such as "My Ántonia" |
| Willa Ford | American singer, songwriter, and actress |
| Willa Holland | Actress known for her roles in "Arrow" and "The O.C" |
| Willa Kim | Tony Award-winning costume designer |
| Willa Muir | Scottish writer and translator |
| Willa Newton | British eventing champion |
| Willa Fitzgerald | Actress known for her role in MTV's "Scream" series |
| Willa Joanna Chance Holland | American model and actress |
| Willa O'Neill | Irish actress known for "River City" and "The Clinic" |
| Willa Joanna Hendricks | American actress known for her role in "The Parent Trap" |
Characters Named Willa
| Willa Burrell | A character from the TV series "True Blood" |
| Willa McPherson | A character from the book "Willa of the Wood" by Robert Beatty |
| Willa Norbert | A character from the video game "Legend of Heroes - Trails of Cold Steel" |
| Willa the Witch | A character from the "Winx Club" animated series |
| Willa Jasper | A character from the book "Dreamer's Daughter" by Lynn Kurland |
| Willa Robinson | A character from the TV series "Men in Trees" |
| Willa Ward | A character from the movie "Bram Stoker's Dracula" |