Willa

Meaning: Will and helmet
Origin: Germanic — Short form of Wilhelmina, also a feminine form of William

Girl's name · #422 in the US (2025) · Comeback

Popularity over time

Willa was #274 in 1932, slipped to #3906 by 1990, and has climbed back to #422 today. About 33,000 girls have carried it since 1880. In all that time it has never once missed a year of the national records.

Across the states

See where Willa is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 44 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Willa ranks in other countries and regions.

#137 in New Zealand (2025) · #364 in Canada (2025) · #705 in England & Wales (2025) · #1,522 in Sweden (2025) · #3,676 in Austria (2025) · #7,313 in France (2025) · #638 in Scotland (2024) · #898 in Ireland (2024) · #1,371 in Belgium (2023) · #12,768 in Ecuador (2010).

Famous Willas

Willa Cather — American writer (1873–1947)
Willa Holland — American actress (born 1991)
Willa Fitzgerald — American actress (born 1991)
Willa Ford — American singer (born 1981)
Willa Shalit — American artist (born 1955)

In stories & tradition

Willa — ThunderCats (TV series)

What Willas become

Among 45 notable people named Willa:

No single standout — notable Willas spread across many fields.

Similar names: Elinor · Winnie · Nila · Matilda · Della · Luella

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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