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🔥Willow

WILL-o
English nature name
"willow tree"
Linda Rosenkrantz
By Linda Rosenkrantz
Updated Wed Apr 23 2025

Willow Origin and Meaning

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

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.

Willow's use as a given name derives directly from 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.

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 also popular in other English-speaking countries including Australia, Canada, Ireland, and Scotland. In 2023, it entered the Top 10 in England and Wales.

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.

# 41 in the US

Willow Rank in US Top 1000

# 93 on Nameberry

Willow Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Popularity of the name Willow

20 Names Similar to Willow

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Willow.

Famous People Named Willow

  • Kristine Carlin "Willow" Bay
    American television journalist
  • Willow Shields
    American actress; twin sister Autumn Shields
  • Willow Geer
    Alsop, American actress
  • Willow Sheffer
    daughter of actors Gabrielle Anwar and Craig Sheffer
  • Willow Bianca Faye Palin
    daughter of U.S. politician Sarah Palin
  • Willow Camille Reign Smith
    American 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

The name Willow in Pop Culture

  • Willow Danielle Rosenberg
    character on The WB's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"
  • Willow Ufgood
    male character in 1988 fantasy film "Willow"
  • Willow Lynd
    character in video game "The Sims 3" Moonlight Bay
  • Willow Woodward
    character in film "The Wicker Man"
  • Willow Stark
    character on American soap "Days of Our Lives"
  • Willow
    character in Dreadstar comics
  • Willow
    character in "Diamond Willow" by Helen Frost
  • Grandmother Willow
    tree character in Disney's "Pocahontas"
  • Willow
    character on Bonanza episode "The Spitfire"
  • Willow Cruz
    character on TV's "Liv and Maddie"
  • The Whomping Willow
    a valuable and very violent magical plant in the Harry Potter series
  • Willow Moore
    character in the Addicted Series
  • Willow
    character from video game "Don't Starve"
  • Willow Fields
    half,angel main character of the "Angel" series by L. A. Weatherly

The name Willow in Nameberry Blog Posts