Find out how popular the first name Willamena has been for the last 49 years (from 1974 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Willamena by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Willamena is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 8 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Willamena.

The history of the first name Willamena

The name Willamena has its origins in the Germanic languages, derived from the combination of two words: "will" meaning desire or will, and "helm" meaning protection or helmet. It was initially a masculine name, often spelled as Willahelm or Willihelm, and was widely used among the Frankish and Germanic tribes during the Middle Ages.

The earliest recorded use of the name can be traced back to the 8th century, when it was mentioned in the Frankish Annals, a historical record written by scholars in the court of Charlemagne. In these texts, the name referred to several noblemen and warriors who served under the Carolingian dynasty.

As the name spread across Europe, it underwent various transformations in spelling and pronunciation. In England, it evolved into the form Willamena, which became more commonly used as a feminine name from the 16th century onwards. One of the earliest notable bearers of the name was Willamena Strickland, an English naturalist and author who lived from 1819 to 1892.

In the 17th century, Willamena gained popularity in the Netherlands and Germany, with several notable figures bearing the name. One such figure was Willamena Crull, a Dutch painter who lived from 1594 to 1644 and was renowned for her still life paintings.

The name also found its way into literature, with Willamena being the name of a character in the novel "The Vicar of Wakefield" by Oliver Goldsmith, published in 1766. This literary reference contributed to the name's wider recognition and use.

Throughout history, there have been several other notable individuals named Willamena. Willamena Fleming, born in 1857, was a Scottish politician and one of the first women to be elected to the London County Council in 1889. Willamena Quartey, born in 1919, was a Ghanaian educator and women's rights activist who played a significant role in promoting education for girls in her country.

While the name Willamena has seen a decline in popularity in recent decades, it remains a unique and historically significant name with a rich heritage and diverse cultural influences.

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 Willamena was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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