Rising since 1987, #44 for girls today.
Popularity of Willow since 1890
Babies named Willow per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 40 |
| 1910s | 111 |
| 1920s | 252 |
| 1930s | 208 |
| 1940s | 175 |
| 1950s | 138 |
| 1960s | 139 |
| 1970s | 502 |
| 1980s | 344 |
| 1990s | 1,217 |
| 2000s | 6,024 |
| 2010s | 27,072 |
| 2020s | 28,868 |
Meaning & origin
Willow has been in use since at least 1890, but its modern popularity took off in the 1980s, especially after 1987 when it began a steady rise. The name reached its peak rank in 2021, and by 2025 it sat at rank 44, with an incidence of 1 in 337. Its top states include Vermont, Wyoming, and West Virginia, reflecting a preference in natural, outdoorsy regions. The name's continued ascent aligns with the broader trend of botanical names, offering a soft, nature-inspired choice that feels both gentle and strong.
Willow derives from Old English 'welig', the name of the willow tree, known for its flexible branches and elegant form. As a given name, it emerged in the late 19th century, possibly inspired by the tree's poetic associations. It gained broader use in the late 20th and early 21st centuries as part of the trend toward nature names.
Where Willow is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Willow” around the world
Where Willow lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
85
babies in 2024
Ireland
#58
in 2025
New Zealand
#26
in 2025
Quebec
27
babies in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#23
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Will, Willa, Low
Variants: Willow, Willough
Sibling names for Willow
Names that share Willow's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Hazel, Ivy, Olive, Fern, Lark, Alora, Aspen, Autumn, Emilia, Everly, Juniper, Luna, Sage, Bambi, Blakely, Briar, Coraline, Ember, Emberlee, Everleigh, Ferne, Harlow, Indie, Indigo, Journee, Magnolia, Meadow, Navy, Oaklee, Oaklyn, Oaklynn, Pepper, Raven, Ravyn, Rayne, Salem, Sommer, Stormi, Stormy, Winter, Wren, Wynter, Acacia, Alaska, Auburn, Autum, Buffy, Codie, Denali, Emberlyn, Gypsy, Harbor, Holley, Indy, Jovie, Lavender, Lillith, Lotus, Lynnea, Mahogany, Maple, Novalee, Novaleigh, Rain, Raine, Rayven, Sequoia, Stormie, Timber, Wrenlee, Apple, Arbor, Azaleah, Breeze, Cayenne, Cricket, Feather, Harvest, Hayzel, Hazelynn, Indica, Island, Klover, Larkyn, Laurell, Loxley, Mystic, November, Oasis, Oceanna, Pebbles, Pixie, Prairie, Raevyn, Raini, Rainie, Raiven, Riverlyn, Riverlynn, Roxi, Saffron, Sativa, Skai, Skarlet, Snow, Topanga, Trellis, Tymber, Valley, Whisper, Willodean, Xoe, Azalia, Bloom, Ezme, Greenley, Haiven, Haizel, Icelynn, Iley, Ivori, Juneau, Lauryl, Legacie, Mahagony, Maize, Oaklynne, Pebble, Phynix, Rainee, Reighn, Serenidy, Skie, Sonoma, Aqua, Briarrose, Emberlie, Everlea, Fauna, Arlowe, Aspynn, Autumm, Autumnrose, Avonni, Azaelia, Azalya, Azaylie, Cozy, Dreamer, Eleven, Emberlin, Embyr, Evergreen, Falan, Freyah, Gracelee, Gracilyn, Hollan, Holleigh, Hollin, Horizon, Iceland, Ivylynn, Jemini, Journe, Kauri, Larken, Lillyth, Mahogony, Novalei, Oaklei, Palin, Rayvn, Riverleigh, Riverly, Rumor, Skya, Sorrel, Storii, Sunflower, Tallula, Teale, Timberlee, Timberlynn, Zanova, Zeplyn
Brothers: Jasper, Finn, Rowan, Silas, Arlo, Asher, Forrest, Levi, Phoenix, River, Waylon, Bridger, Brown, Canyon, Forest, Fox, Linden, Ocean, Ridge, Rye, Shepherd, Stone, Sylas, Vander, Alder, Ash, Avian, Baxter, Bear, Blaize, Cedar, Chayton, Cypress, Denim, Diesel, Everest, Haden, Haze, Heston, Holt, Huck, Kalan, Lake, Oakland, Ozzy, Ranger, Rivers, Roan, Rock, Ruger, Ryver, Summit, Tiger, Usher, Waymond, Wolf, Woody, Wylder, Arlow, Beauden, Bracken, Branch, Brier, Cotton, Creek, Cylus, Falcon, Garion, Gryffin, Iden, Kharter, Lynx, Marsh, Monti, Newt, Oak, Pheonix, Quest, Quill, Satchel, Thorne, Trampas, Trapper, Tyger, Woods, Wylee, Zaedyn, Zealand, Axxel, Banyan, Bastion, Bearett, Birch, Brazos, Brighten, Calyx, Cobain, Cougar, Elkin, Fields, Gordy, Griffon, Hendryx, Huckleberry, Jazper, Joon, Julez, Kingstin, Kypton, Laker, Levander, Oakes, Oaklan, Oaklin, Oaks, Slayter, Tilden, Coal, Eithen, Oaken, Williom, Acer, Acre, Anchor, Atlus, Axeton, Bocephus, Brookes, Bruk, Coyote, Draeden, Dragon, Graves, Greydon, Grove, Hawthorn, Lakeland, Leaf, Lycan, Okley, Olivander, Poe, Smokey, Syier, Theoren, Trig, Trystian, Wilde, Won, Zuma
Names like Willow
Names whose popularity has moved with Willow's over the last 50 years.
