Holding steady.
Popularity of Willetta since 1893
Babies named Willetta per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 37 |
| 1900s | 55 |
| 1910s | 282 |
| 1920s | 357 |
| 1930s | 292 |
| 1940s | 270 |
| 1950s | 233 |
| 1960s | 188 |
| 1970s | 91 |
| 1980s | 70 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Willetta is a rare and ornate feminine name that saw its heyday in the early 20th century. First recorded in 1893, it reached its peak usage in 1922, during the height of the fashion for feminine diminutive names ending in '-etta'. Though never common, Willetta reflects the naming trends of the era, when elaborate feminizations of Germanic-rooted names like Wilhelmina were popular. The name's trajectory has been stable long-term, meaning it has remained extremely rare without a recent revival. Today, Willetta is virtually unused, but its vintage charm appeals to parents seeking an unusual historical name.
Willetta is a diminutive form of Wilhelmina, the feminine version of Wilhelm, a Germanic name composed of 'will' (will, desire) and 'helm' (helmet, protection). The suffix '-etta' is a feminine diminutive adopted in English-speaking naming traditions, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as part of a broader fashion for ornate feminine name endings. Willetta saw modest use from the 1890s through the 1920s, peaking in 1922, before declining into obscurity.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Willie, Etta
Variants: Willette, Willettie
Sibling names for Willetta
Names that share Willetta's style, for a brother or sister.
