Willow
Fact sheet
- Name
- Willow
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 2
Willow is a contemporary English first name, meaning 'the willow'. In Celtic mythology, the willow is attributed with special magical properties, which additionally leads to the folk etymological interpretation 'the enchanting one'.
What does the name Willow mean?
The name Willow comes from English and means 'the willow'. In Celtic mythology, the willow is attributed with magical abilities, contributing to the folk etymological meaning 'the enchanting one'. The origin of the name lies in the Old English word 'welig', which means 'the willow' or 'the willow tree', or possibly in the Old Germanic 'walg', which means 'to turn', 'to move', 'to roll', 'to wind', and 'to sway'. There are also places that bear this name.
Where does the name Willow come from?
The origin of the name Willow is Old English and means 'the willow' or 'the enchanting one'. The Old English word 'welig' stands for 'the willow, the willow tree', while the Old Germanic 'walg' means 'to turn, to move, to roll, to wind, to sway'. The name is widespread in various languages such as English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh.
How do you pronounce Willow?
The pronunciation of the name Willow is soft and flowing. In German, it is usually pronounced as 'Wil-low' [ˈwɪloʊ] or Germanized as [ˈvɪlo]. The name begins with a short I sound that conveys freshness. The double L harmoniously connects the syllables, and the open O sound at the end provides a rounded tonal quality. This makes Willow sound natural, modern, and sonically soft.
Popularity
In Germany, the name Willow is quite popular and currently ranks 1,514th in the list of the most common female baby names. The best ranking was achieved in 2020 with 1,288th place. In the last ten years, Willow has been chosen as a first name about 210 times, placing it 1,534th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 1,841st.
Nicknames & pet names
Low / Lowy / Will / Willa / Willie / Wills / Willy / Wool
Similar first names
Famous people
- Wilhelmina "Willow" Margaret Moreno (character from the series "The Royals")
- Willow Bay (model from America)
- Willow Danielle Rosenberg (character from the US series "Buffy - The Vampire Slayer")
- Willow Dawson (Canadian illustrator)
- Willow Geer-Alsop (actress from the USA)
- Willow Johnson (actress from England)
- Willow Rosenberg (character name of A. Hannigan in BUFFY)
- Willow Sage Hart (daughter of Pink)
- Willow Shields (American child actress)
- Willow Smith (daughter of Will and Jada Smith)
Frequently asked questions about the name Willow
What does the name Willow mean?
The name Willow comes from English and means 'the willow'. In Celtic mythology, the willow is attributed with magical abilities, contributing to the meaning 'the enchanting one'.
Where does the name Willow come from?
Willow has its roots in Old English and is used in various languages such as English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh. The origin lies in the Old English word 'welig', which means 'the willow'.
How popular is the name Willow?
The name Willow has been growing in popularity in recent years, especially in English-speaking countries. It is often associated with a connection to nature and a gentle, magical aura.