Holding steady.
Popularity of Willoughby since 1915
Babies named Willoughby per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 32 |
| 1920s | 0 | 82 |
| 1930s | 0 | 29 |
| 1940s | 0 | 23 |
| 1950s | 0 | 11 |
| 1960s | 0 | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 5 | 0 |
| 2010s | 38 | 34 |
| 2020s | 48 | 12 |
Meaning & origin
Willoughby is an English surname-turned-given name that evokes pastoral imagery. First recorded as a given name in 1915, it saw its peak usage in 1923, but has since remained extremely rare, never reentering the top 1000. The name's trajectory has been stable at very low numbers over the past century, and while it has been used for both sexes, it historically skews masculine. No state has recorded notable usage of Willoughby. Its lack of popularity may appeal to parents seeking a distinctive name with traditional roots and a gentle sound.
Willoughby is a transferred use of an English surname derived from various place names in England, such as Willoughby in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. The place names come from Old English 'wilig' meaning 'willow' and 'by' meaning 'farmstead' or 'village', a borrowing from Old Norse. As a given name, Willoughby emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, used primarily as a masculine name but also occasionally for girls.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Will, Willy, Willow
Sibling names for Willoughby
Names that share Willoughby's style, for a brother or sister.
