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Willa Name Origin: German
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Pronunciation: wi(l)-la
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See what 6 people think about Willa
Willa Name Meaning
The name is derived from the Germanic name Wilhelm, which means “will” or “desire” and “helmet” or “protection.” In other words, Willa is a strong-willed protector.
Popularity of the Name Willa
Willa has been on the rise in popularity in recent years, but it’s still considered a relatively uncommon name. In fact, it wasn’t even on the top 1,000 list of most popular baby girl names in the United States until the early 2000s. But since then, it’s been slowly climbing the ranks, and it’s now a trendy and unique choice for parents looking for a name that’s both classic and modern.
Famous Willas
One of the most famous Willas of recent history is Willa Cather, an American author known for her novels about the American West. Her most famous work, “My Ántonia,” is considered a classic of American literature. Another notable Willa is Willa Holland, an American actress, who played Thea Queen/Speedy in the series Arrow.
Willa has also made appearances in pop culture. For example, in the movie “The Parent Trap” (1998), Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson played a couple who named their twin daughters Annie and Hallie, but they were also considering to name them Willa and Tessa.
Final Thoughts on the Name Willa
Willa is a name that’s both traditional and modern, classic and unique. It’s a name that has a strong meaning and a rich history, but it’s also on the rise and gaining popularity. It’s a name that’s perfect for a strong-willed, independent, and protective girl.
Overall, Willa is a name that has a rich history and a strong meaning, yet it’s also a unique and trendy choice for parents looking for a modern name. With famous Willas like Willa Cather and Willa Holland and pop culture references, the name has gained popularity in recent years and is sure to continue to rise in popularity in the future.
Infographic of Willa name meaning, which is will helmet, protection
Ask your friends & family about Willa…
Willa Name Popularity
How popular is the name Willa? Here’s everything we know.
| Year |
Rank |
# Births |
% Births |
| 1910 |
325 |
100 |
0.0284% |
| 1911 |
327 |
103 |
0.0277% |
| 1912 |
336 |
143 |
0.0284% |
| 1913 |
336 |
165 |
0.0291% |
| 1914 |
325 |
222 |
0.0319% |
| 1915 |
352 |
246 |
0.0271% |
| 1916 |
345 |
278 |
0.0288% |
| 1917 |
335 |
303 |
0.0303% |
| 1918 |
305 |
400 |
0.0373% |
| 1919 |
319 |
355 |
0.0339% |
| 1920 |
316 |
391 |
0.0352% |
| 1921 |
326 |
370 |
0.0323% |
| 1922 |
310 |
400 |
0.0359% |
| 1923 |
296 |
435 |
0.0388% |
| 1924 |
306 |
437 |
0.0376% |
| 1925 |
293 |
488 |
0.0432% |
| 1926 |
288 |
502 |
0.0456% |
| 1927 |
276 |
538 |
0.0486% |
| 1928 |
293 |
472 |
0.0441% |
| 1929 |
291 |
465 |
0.0449% |
| 1930 |
288 |
480 |
0.046% |
| 1931 |
292 |
419 |
0.0425% |
| 1932 |
272 |
477 |
0.0483% |
| 1933 |
280 |
425 |
0.0456% |
| 1934 |
277 |
449 |
0.0464% |
| 1935 |
291 |
388 |
0.0399% |
| 1936 |
280 |
416 |
0.0432% |
| 1937 |
306 |
372 |
0.0378% |
| 1938 |
323 |
339 |
0.0331% |
| 1939 |
314 |
345 |
0.0339% |
| 1940 |
319 |
342 |
0.0322% |
| 1941 |
327 |
367 |
0.0326% |
| 1942 |
341 |
383 |
0.0303% |
| 1943 |
375 |
331 |
0.0254% |
| 1944 |
348 |
340 |
0.0274% |
| 1945 |
377 |
304 |
0.0249% |
| 1946 |
432 |
272 |
0.0184% |
| 1947 |
466 |
268 |
0.0161% |
| 1948 |
509 |
208 |
0.013% |
| 1949 |
471 |
248 |
0.0154% |
| 1950 |
503 |
219 |
0.0136% |
| 1951 |
530 |
199 |
0.0117% |
| 1952 |
487 |
253 |
0.0145% |
| 1953 |
569 |
191 |
0.0108% |
| 1954 |
602 |
179 |
0.0098% |
| 1955 |
602 |
187 |
0.0102% |
| 1956 |
685 |
146 |
0.0077% |
| 1957 |
777 |
119 |
0.0062% |
| 1958 |
783 |
114 |
0.006% |
| 1959 |
858 |
97 |
0.0051% |
| 1960 |
860 |
99 |
0.0052% |
| 1961 |
948 |
82 |
0.0043% |
| 1962 |
846 |
104 |
0.0057% |
| 1963 |
1,109 |
51 |
0.0028% |
| 1964 |
1,021 |
63 |
0.0036% |
| 1965 |
1,050 |
53 |
0.0032% |
| 1966 |
1,407 |
23 |
0.0015% |
| 1967 |
1,241 |
33 |
0.0022% |
| 1968 |
2,410 |
5 |
0.0003% |
| 1969 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1970 |
2,006 |
11 |
0.0007% |
| 1971 |
1,953 |
12 |
0.0008% |
| 1972 |
2,372 |
6 |
0.0004% |
| 1973 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1974 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1975 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1976 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1977 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1978 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1979 |
2,550 |
6 |
0.0004% |
| 1980 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1981 |
2,868 |
6 |
0.0004% |
| 1982 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1983 |
2,927 |
5 |
0.0003% |
| 1984 |
2,363 |
11 |
0.0007% |
| 1985 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1986 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1987 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1988 |
2,814 |
8 |
0.0005% |
| 1989 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1990 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1991 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1992 |
3,658 |
5 |
0.0003% |
| 1993 |
2,713 |
11 |
0.0007% |
| 1994 |
2,223 |
21 |
0.0014% |
| 1995 |
2,793 |
11 |
0.0007% |
| 1996 |
2,573 |
13 |
0.0009% |
| 1997 |
3,124 |
7 |
0.0005% |
| 1998 |
3,042 |
8 |
0.0005% |
| 1999 |
2,655 |
14 |
0.0009% |
| 2000 |
3,424 |
6 |
0.0004% |
| 2001 |
2,485 |
18 |
0.0012% |
| 2002 |
1,645 |
57 |
0.0038% |
| 2003 |
2,275 |
26 |
0.0017% |
| 2004 |
1,751 |
53 |
0.0035% |
| 2005 |
1,594 |
65 |
0.0043% |
| 2006 |
2,087 |
37 |
0.0024% |
| 2007 |
1,245 |
138 |
0.0087% |
| 2008 |
975 |
216 |
0.014% |
| 2009 |
1,016 |
197 |
0.0132% |
| 2010 |
921 |
221 |
0.0153% |
| 2011 |
962 |
204 |
0.0143% |
| 2012 |
694 |
352 |
0.0247% |
| 2013 |
655 |
385 |
0.027% |
| 2014 |
530 |
532 |
0.0365% |
| 2015 |
462 |
643 |
0.0442% |
| 2016 |
448 |
654 |
0.0454% |
| 2017 |
427 |
676 |
0.0484% |
| 2018 |
365 |
776 |
0.0565% |
| 2019 |
338 |
865 |
0.0639% |
| 2020 |
355 |
822 |
0.0646% |
| 2021 |
358 |
770 |
0.063% |
District of Columbia (DC)
Data via SSA.gov.
Names Like Willa
If you like Willa, you’ll love these other names like Willa.
What names sound like Willa?
If you like how Willa sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Willa.
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin |
Popularity |
Other Gender |
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Aila
|
Blessed
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Scandinavian
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Ailli
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Alla
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A diminutive form of Alice.
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|
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Eila
|
Tree
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Hebrew
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|
|
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Ella
|
Other goddess
|
Hebrew
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|
|
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Illa
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Tree
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Hebrew
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|
|
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Jill
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“A sweetheart,” from the standard meaning of the word.
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Latin
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|
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Jilli
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|
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Jilly
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Youthful
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Latin
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|
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Olla
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Ancestor's relic
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Scandinavian
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Ulla
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Will, determination
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Scandinavian
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|
|
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Wally
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A variant form of Wallis, with the added implication of pleasant ampleness.
|
|
|
|
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Willie
|
Will helmet, protection
|
German
|
|
|
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Willow
|
Willow tree
|
English
|
|
|
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Willy
|
Will helmet, protection
|
German
|
|
|
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Yulla
|
Wealthy; gem of the sea; sacred red
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Scandinavian
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What names are similar to Willa?
Find a name that’s like Willa, but just a little bit different.
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin |
Popularity |
Other Gender |
|
Billa
|
Will helmet, protection
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German
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Billie
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A feminine diminutive of William.
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English
|
|
|
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Cilla
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Blind; sixth; ancient, venerable
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Welsh
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|
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Dilla
|
Small winged one
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Latin
|
|
|
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Lilla
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|
Latin
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|
|
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Milla
|
Helper to the priest
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Latin
|
|
|
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Rilla
|
Small brook
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German
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Twyla
|
Twilight
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American
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|
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Wilda
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Untamed; willow tree
|
German
|
|
|
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Wilhelmina
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Will helmet, protection
|
German
|
|
|
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Willda
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Untamed; willow tree
|
German
|
|
|
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Willma
|
Will helmet, protection
|
German
|
|
|
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Wilma
|
Will helmet, protection
|
German
|
|
|
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Wilna
|
Will helmet, protection
|
German
|
|
|
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Zilla
|
Shadow
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Hebrew
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Lists With Willa
Find inspiration in these baby girl name lists featuring the name Willa.
Siblings of Willa
Mamas with kids named Willa also have kids with these names.
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin |
Popularity |
Other Gender |
|
Merit
|
Boundary gate
|
English
|
|
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Liberty
|
Freedom
|
English
|
|
|
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Wyatt
|
Brave in battle
|
English
|
|
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