🔥Willow

WILL-o

English nature name

"willow tree"

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.

Willow Rank in US Top 1000

# 41 in the US

Willow Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

# 97 on Nameberry

Popularity of the name Willow

• 41 US 2023
• 97 Nameberry 2025
• 61 Canada 2023
• 17 Future 2035
• 9 England 2023
• 23 Scotland 2023
• 48 Ireland 2024
• 15 Australia 2023
• 18 New Zealand 2024
• 20 Dogs 2023
• 9 Cats 2023

20 Names Similar to Willow

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

• Sage
• Dominque
• Mychelle
• Brooklinn
• Kymber
• Brioney
• Delailah
• Astrud
• Harlym
• Kennady
• Mishelle
• Kynslie
• M'shell
• Marvela
• Michelia
• Blasé
• Mischelle
• Navaeh
• Emersynn
• Avionna

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