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🔥Willow

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English nature name
"willow tree"

Willow Origin and Meaning

The name Willow is a girl's name of English origin meaning "willow tree".

Willow came into use as a given name after the willow tree, whose name was derived from the Old English word welig, meaning "willow." Willow trees are associated with grace and elegance, which gave way to the adjective "willowy." Other names with meanings related to willows include Arava, Willoughby, Dozier, Wellesley, Selby, and Salton.

An ancient tree that figures in literature from Shakespeare to Harry Potter and is believed to possess magical powers, Willow is a lovely name, as graceful as its inspiration, that is growing in popularity along with Willa and Will.

This elegant and charming nature name has been chosen for their daughters by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, Michelle Monaghan and Pink. It's been a fast riser in recent years, climbing along with other Will names Willa, William and Will, having taken off here a year after the character of Willow was introduced on Buffy the Vampire Slayer in 1997.

Willow is even more popular in other English-speaking countries: it's highly popular in Australia and in the UK, Canada and Scotland.

The name has transcended its one-time hippie aura to move into the realm of reappraised and appreciated nature names. The willow is believed by the Romani to possess the ability to heal the sick and rejuvenate the aged.

Pink was quoted as saying her choice was influenced by a willow tree she grew up near, and that it is the most flexible tree that nothing can break—no wind, no elements, it can bend and withstand anything.

# 37 in the US

Willow Rank in US Top 1000

# 110 on Nameberry

Willow Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Willow Popularity

20 Names Similar to Willow

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Famous People Named Willow

  • Kristine Carlin "Willow" BayAmerican television journalist
  • Willow ShieldsAmerican actress; twin sister Autumn Shields
  • Willow GeerAlsop, American actress
  • Willow Shefferdaughter of actors Gabrielle Anwar and Craig Sheffer
  • Willow Bianca Faye Palindaughter of U.S. politician Sarah Palin
  • Willow Camille Reign SmithAmerican actress/singer, daughter of actors Will & Jada Pinkett Smith
  • Willow McCarthy (b. 2007)daughter of actor Andrew McCarthy
  • Willow Katherine White (b. 2008)daughter of actress Michelle Monaghan and Peter White
  • Willow Rose Owen (b. 2008)daughter of singer Mark Owen of Take That and Emma Ferguson
  • Willow Stevens (b. 2009)daughter of actor Dan Stevens and singer Susie Hariet
  • Willow Lenora Herschenfeld (b. 2009)daughter of actress Alicia Minshew and Richie Herschenfeld
  • Willow Rose McGuinness (b. 2009)daughter of TV presenter Amanda Lamb and Sean McGuinness
  • Willow Sage Hart (b. 2011)daughter of singer Pink and Carey Hart
  • Willow Jade Ford (b. 2012)daughter of actress Holly Brisley and Paul Ford
  • Willow Grace Simpson (b. 2012)daughter of golfer Webb Simpson
  • Willow Grace Radke (b. 2013)daughter of singer Ronnie Radke
  • Willow Phoenix Buckley (b. 2014)daughter of actor A..J. Buckley
  • Willow Landau (b. 2016)daughter of actress Cheyenne Jackson and Jason Landau; twin of brother Ethan
  • Willow Hammond (b. 2003)daughter of English television presenter Richard Hammond

Willow in Pop Culture

  • Willow Danielle Rosenbergcharacter on The WB's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"
  • Willow Ufgoodmale character in 1988 fantasy film "Willow"
  • Willow Lyndcharacter in video game "The Sims 3" Moonlight Bay
  • Willow Woodwardcharacter in film "The Wicker Man"
  • Willow Starkcharacter on American soap "Days of Our Lives"
  • Willowcharacter in Dreadstar comics
  • Willowcharacter in "Diamond Willow" by Helen Frost
  • Grandmother Willowtree character in Disney's "Pocahontas"
  • Willowcharacter on Bonanza episode "The Spitfire"
  • Willow Cruzcharacter on TV's "Liv and Maddie"
  • The Whomping Willowa valuable and very violent magical plant in the Harry Potter series
  • Willow Moorecharacter in the Addicted Series
  • Willowcharacter from video game "Don't Starve"
  • Willow Fieldshalf,angel main character of the "Angel" series by L. A. Weatherly