Willowdean

The Social Security Lists show Willodean and all its variant spellings to have been used throughout the 1920s and 30s especially in Southern states. There are a few theories on its origins (an invented name created to honor William/Willard and a a female name ending in "-dine", or it may be an Anglicization of a Native American name).

This is the spelling used in the YA novel and subsequent 2018 film Dumplin'.

Pronounced WIL-oh-deen.

As of October 2026, Willowdean ranked #17135 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #2167 in 1927.