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

Popularity of Willow by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Willow is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 99% of people named Willow being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 4,727 female babies and 46 male babies born with the name Willow.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 46 baby boys were named Willow in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Willow

The name Willow has its origins in the Old English word 'welig' which referred to the willow tree. Its meaning is associated with slender grace, resilience, and flexibility. The name gained popularity during the Middle Ages and was particularly common in England, where willow trees were abundant.

The willow tree held significant symbolism in ancient cultures. In ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, the willow represented fertility, death, and new life. The ancient Greeks and Romans also revered the willow and associated it with mourning and the underworld. Willow branches were often used in funeral rites and ceremonies.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Willow can be found in the Domesday Book, a survey commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, where it appeared as a surname. The name likely transitioned from a surname to a given name during the late Middle Ages.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Willow. One of the earliest recorded examples is Willow Rosenberg, a fictional character from the popular television series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," introduced in 1997. In literature, Willow Ufgood was the main character in the 1988 fantasy film "Willow," directed by Ron Howard.

Another notable Willow was Willow Palin, the daughter of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, born in 1994. In the music industry, Willow Smith, the daughter of actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, has gained recognition as a singer and songwriter, having been born in 2000.

One of the earliest recorded instances of Willow as a given name dates back to the late 19th century, when Willow Cunard, an American vaudeville performer, was born in 1888. She was known for her comedic performances and appeared in several films during the early 20th century.

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

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

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