Find out how popular the first name Willa has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Willa by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Willa is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 717 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Willa.

The history of the first name Willa

The given name Willa has its origins in the Germanic languages, specifically derived from the Old German word "wil" meaning "will" or "desire". This name emerged during the medieval period and was initially more commonly used for male individuals.

One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the 9th century, where a Frankish nobleman named Willa was mentioned in historical records. During the Middle Ages, the name gained popularity across various regions of Europe, particularly in Germany and parts of France.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named Willa von Helfstein, a German noblewoman, was recorded as having held significant influence and power in her region. Her name served as a testament to the prevalence of the name during that era.

As time progressed, the name gradually transitioned to become more commonly used for females. One of the earliest recorded examples of a woman bearing the name Willa was Willa Muir, a Scottish novelist and translator born in 1890 and who lived until 1970.

Another famous individual with the name Willa was Willa Cather, an American writer and novelist born in 1873 and passed away in 1947. She is renowned for her novels depicting life on the Great Plains, such as "O Pioneers!" and "My Ántonia".

In the realm of literature, the name Willa also graced the works of the celebrated English writer Virginia Woolf, who featured a character named Willa Vine in her novel "Between the Acts", published in 1941.

Willa Sibert Cather, an American writer and novelist born in 1873 and passed away in 1947, is renowned for her novels depicting life on the Great Plains, such as "O Pioneers!" and "My Ántonia".

Willa Brown, an African American aviator and educator, made history as the first Black woman to earn a commercial pilot's license in the United States. She was born in 1906 and played a crucial role in paving the way for future generations of Black pilots.

Willa Muir, a Scottish novelist and translator born in 1890 and lived until 1970, was also a notable figure who bore this name. Her literary contributions spanned various genres, including poetry and criticism.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Willa was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Willa, please contact us.

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