Willa

Updated: October 12, 2023 by Sarah Nance

Willa is a sweet, old-fashioned name for baby girls that is making a big comeback. It's been compared to nature names like Lily and Willow and even considered an alternative to them, but it isn't so common that it feels overused. The name has been linked to royalty, and it's a popular one for celebrity babies born over the last decade. It pairs well with both classic and modern middle names as well. Keep reading on to find out more about this beautiful name.

Meaning and Origin of the name Willa:

Willa is a derivative of the masculine names William and Wilhelm. These names were brought to England after the Norman Conquest and have remained popular in the Western world ever since. Willa comes from Germanic and Old French descent and means “valiant protection.”

Symbolism of the name Willa:

The masculine versions of Willa break down to “wil,” which means “will or desire,” and “helm,” which means “helmet or protection.” For this reason, the name Willa symbolizes strength and protection.

Nicknames for the name Willa:

Will
Lala
Willie
Illa
Illy
Wi
Wile

Style of the name Willa:

Traditional

Gender of the name Willa:

Willa is a girl's name.

Pronunciation of the name Willa:

WILL-uh

Number of syllables in the name Willa:

Two

Emotion evoked from the name Willa:

The name Willa is light and whispy and evokes images of nature, thanks to its close relation to names like “Lily” and “Willow.”

Alternative spellings for the name Willa:

Wila
Wylla
Willah

Popularity of the name Willa:

According to the Social Security Administration, Willa was one of the top 1,000 names for baby girls through the 1960s, but it fell out of favor for decades. However, it jumped back onto the list in 2010 and hasn't left since. In 2020, it ranked at number 349.