Willa Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Willa is a name of Old Germanic origin meaning 'will' or 'desire.' It evolved from the Old High German 'Willa' and has variants like Wilhelmina and Willie. The name reflects traits of strength and independence and has no biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the 19th century and has become a fashionable choice in modern times.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Willa"
Pronunciation
/ˈwɪlə/
Origin
Old Germanic
Etymology
The name Willa is derived from the Old High German name 'Willa,' which means 'will' or 'desire.' It is a feminine form of the masculine name 'Wilhelm.'
Meaning
will, desire
Language Evolution
Willa (Modern English), Willa (Old High German), Wilhelmina (Dutch, derived from Wilhelm)
Historical Usage
Willa gained popularity in the 19th century as a standalone name but has seen a resurgence in contemporary times, particularly in literary and artistic circles.
Variants & Derivatives
Wilhelmina, Willie, Willy
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Willa is perceived as a vintage yet stylish name, often associated with strength and independence.
Famous People
Willa Cather (American author), Willa Ford (American singer and actress)
📊 Willa Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Willa Name Visualizations
✨ Willa Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 889 peak births in 2019
Geographic Spread
Popular across 49 US states, with strongest presence in West Virginia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 8 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Willa" - Complete Guide (2 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Willa". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 2 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Willa" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Willa"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Willa"
"Willa" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4999th of 6773 | 24 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 317th of 9107 | 7,273 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 316th of 9204 | 7,710 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 671st of 12526 | 3,887 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2019th of 19264 | 684 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 3169th of 27321 | 520 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1412th of 35406 | 2,406 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 437th of 30306 | 8,747 |
Regional Popularity of "Willa" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Willa" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
21.40% 303rd/1416 |
40.61% 560th/1379 |
10.65% 252nd/2366 |
38.70% 442nd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
19.99% 309th/1546 |
33.93% 528th/1556 |
11.26% 265th/2353 |
29.67% 459th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
28.51% 635th/2227 |
36.95% 898th/2430 |
18.23% 520th/2853 |
36.72% 1019th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
76.00% 2232nd/2937 |
87.88% 3061st/3483 |
49.03% 1725th/3518 |
74.26% 3003rd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
85.07% 3135th/3685 |
63.78% 2854th/4475 |
86.39% 4487th/5194 |
56.17% 3548th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
25.88% 1186th/4582 |
20.78% 1073rd/5164 |
24.97% 1826th/7313 |
19.86% 1482nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
8.28% 330th/3984 |
8.42% 378th/4487 |
7.71% 526th/6822 |
7.58% 476th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Willa"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Willa" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Willa" in the United States
The name Willa is most popular in West Virginia, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Willa has been falling for female in MidWest, too falling for female in Northeast, falling for female in South, falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Willa' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4999th out of 6773 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 317th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 316th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 671st out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2019th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3169th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1412th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 437th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Willa' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.