Girls Names Beginning With W

According to Cherokee legend, hummingbirds were healers, helping those in medical crises.

Warm and open, but way too much teasing potential.

Even if you'd like your daughter to attend the venerable women's college, don't saddle her with this pretentious British surname.

Old man's name just conceivable for a girl--makes a new spin on Wendy.

It is popularly claimed that the name Wendy was invented by Sir James Barrie in 1904 for the big sister character in his play Peter Pan, which was followed by the classic novel in 1911. Barrie supposedly took it from the nickname "fwendy-wendy", that he was called by a young girl acquaintance.

Straightforward yet romantic, this is one newly minted name with long-term appeal, especially as a middle name. It was used as such for Tea Leoni and David Duchovny's Madelaine, whom they call West. Definitely ambigender, it was chosen by Marley Shelton for her daughter. 

Whimsy is a new entry to the ever-expanding word name lexicon, sister for Pixie and Bliss. While it has an undeniable offbeat English aristocratic charm (maybe we're thinking of Dorothy Sayers' fictional detective Lord Peter Wimsey, whose middle name was Death?), we see this as more fitting for a middle than a first name.

Yesterday's sensation that rose with the popularity of Whitney Houston. Whitney may have lost some of its style value, but it still sounds like one of the quintessential English names for girls. Today, you might want to shorten it to cool nickname Whit.

Variant of Wildrose

Wild, bright, and fearless in feel, but perhaps insensitive in real life, given the destructive nature of wildfires. It might make an interesting choice for a fast moving pet, however.

Wildflower may be the ultimate hippie name, added to the lexicon by Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden when they chose it as one of their daughter's middle names. It's generic in the way that Flora and River are, as opposed to Iris and Nile, say. But it has a certain free and creative charm.

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, the number of babies called Wilhelmina has doubled, with 140 girls receiving the name in 2023.

Wilhelmine is a feminine name of Germanic origin, serving as the female form of Wilhelm (William), which means 'resolute protector' or 'determined guardian.' Popular in Germany, Austria, and Scandinavian countries throughout history, Wilhelmine was particularly common among European royalty and nobility. The name combines strength and elegance with its regal heritage and melodic four syllables. While less common today, it offers several charming nickname options including Mina, Wilma, and Helmi. Wilhelmine carries an air of classic sophistication and old-world charm that appeals to parents seeking a name with historical depth. Though traditional, its relative rarity in modern times makes it distinctive for contemporary girls.

Willa has become increasingly fashionable, with its combination of Willa (born Wilella) Cather-like pioneer strength and the graceful beauty of the willow tree.

Variant spelling of Willodean

Willo is a charming feminine name that likely developed as a diminutive or variation of Willow, the graceful tree name that symbolizes flexibility and resilience. While Willow has gained considerable popularity in recent decades, Willo remains a rare alternative with a playful, slightly vintage quality. The name may also connect to Germanic origins, where names containing 'wil' often relate to determination and desire. Willo has occasionally appeared in literature and media, contributing to its whimsical, storybook quality. The simplified spelling gives the name a distinctive appearance while maintaining the pleasant sound associated with Willow. Parents choosing Willo often appreciate its balance of uniqueness and accessibility.

The Social Security Lists show this name 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). Either way, it has a willowy sweetness that deserves a comeback.

With Willow and Willa becoming more popular for girls, surname-name Willoughby could be a more unusual alternative. Its full form sounds appropriate for both genders, but can be shortened for girls to Willow, Willa, or even Bee.

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.