Wilhelmina
2025 SSA
Below 5 births
About Wilhelmina
Wilhelmina might once have been condemned as a clunky relic best left in the past, but a steadily increasing number of parents are dusting it off for their 21st century babies. A reasonably popular choice in the 19th century, but out of favor by the 1950s, in the last decade, Wilhelmina has attracted more attention, and was given to around 110 babies in a recent year.
A Dutch and German feminization of William, via Wilhelm, Wilhelmina is historically associated with Queen Wilhelmina who reigned in the Netherlands for most of the early 20th century, becoming a heroic figure during the two World Wars. The name got an infusion of glamour via Wilhelmina Cooper, the Dutch-born model who established the Wilhelmina Model Agency in 1967 — though the stylish association did little to save the name from going out of fashion.
The mid-2000s marked a turning point for Wilhelmina when the dynamic Vanessa Williams character from Ugly Betty gave the name a new edge, and it got a further boost in 2012, when singer musician Taylor Hanson chose it for his daughter.
More recently, the growing popularity of subscription newsletter Dracula Daily might have given the name increased exposure via the character Wilhelmina 'Mina' Harker. Increased interest around the vampire novel might have helped people see the name in a new light — while equally lending it some witchy, Gothic vibes.
While Willa is currently the more popular feminine form of William, ranking in the US Top 500, Wilhelmina is a more daring possibility that comes with a plethora of nicknames to lighten it, including: Mina, Minna, Minnie, Minka, Billie, Willa, Winnie, and Win.
Wilhelmina is also given to boys.
Pronounced wil-hel-MEE-nuh.
As of October 2026, Wilhelmina ranked #1517 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #215 in 1884, Nameberry popularity #477.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · girls | Births · girls | US rank · boys | Births · boys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #1,875 | 108 | — | 0 |
| 2015 | #1,608 | 134 | — | 0 |
| 2016 | #1,797 | 116 | — | 0 |
| 2017 | #1,742 | 122 | — | 0 |
| 2018 | #1,670 | 126 | — | 0 |
| 2019 | #1,638 | 130 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | #1,827 | 108 | — | 0 |
| 2021 | #1,649 | 127 | — | 0 |
| 2022 | #1,569 | 136 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | #1,541 | 139 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | #1,817 | 111 | — | 0 |
| 2025 | #1,517 | 141 | — | 0 |
World rankings
Wilhelmina for girls
Similar names
These 20 names were selected by our users looking for other names like Wilhelmina.
Wilhelmina on lists
Famous Wilhelminas
- Wilhelmina Helena Pauline MariaGirl
Queen of the Netherlands
- (Frederika Sophia) Wilhelmina of PrussiaGirl
Queen consort of King William V of Orange
- Wilhelmina Cooper (born Gertrude Behmenburg)Girl
Dutch,born American model
- Wilhelmina FitzClarenceGirl
Countess of Munster, British noblewoman and novelist
- Wilhelmina GeddesGirl
Irish stained glass artist
- Wilhelmina Kekelaokalaninui Widemann DowsettGirl
American Hawaiian suffragist
- Wilhelmina Frances "Mina" RawsonGirl
Australia's first cookbook author
- Wilhelmina Elizabeth DruckerGirl
Dutch politician and author
- Wilhelmina BarnsGirl
Graham, British abstract artist
- Wilhelmina "Mina" WylieGirl
Australian swimmer
- Wilhelmina Jane Hanson (b. 2012)Girl
daughter of singer Taylor Hanson
Wilhelmina in pop culture
- Wilhelmina Vivian Slater (born Wanda Slater)Girl
character played by Vanessa Williams on TV's 'Ugly Betty'
- Wilhelmina "Willie" ScottGirl
a main character from movie "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom"
- Wilhelmina "Mina" HarkerGirl
character in Bram Stoker's Dracula
- Wilhelmina GrubblyGirl
Plank, frequent substitute for Hagrid in Harry Potter series
- Wilhelmina/Wilma "Will" VandomGirl
the Guardian of Quintessence in comic and TV series "W.I.T.C.H"
- Wilhelmina CarmelGirl
character in Shakugan no Shana light novels
- Wilhelmina "Helma" ZukasGirl
main character in mystery series by Jo Dereske
- WilhelminaGirl
modeling agency founded by Wilhelmina Cooper
- Wilhelmina "Mina" GrimmGirl
main character in the "Unfortunate Fairy Tale" fantasy series by Chanda Hahn
- Wilhelmina "WillieGirl
" princess character in Bruce Coville's The Dragonslayers
- Wilhelmina WyattGirl
character in the Gemma Doyle series by Libba Bray
- Wilhelmina "Minna" TimsGirl
character in The Mapmakers Trilogy by S. E. Grove
- Shirley Wilhelmina FeeneyGirl
character on TV's 'Laverne & Shirley'.
- Wilhelmina "Mina" CarstairsGirl
Tessa and Jem's daughter in Cassandra Clare's books
- Wilhelmina OgilvyGirl
main character in "Miss Ogilvy Finds Herself", short story written by Radcliffe Hall