How to say it
WIL · oh
ˈwɪl.oʊ
Feminine
Willow
Willow tree
What it means
From the Old English welig, the willow tree. Named for its flexible, weeping branches that bend without breaking.
The willow has been a symbol of resilience, mourning, and grace in English folk tradition for centuries; willow wands appear in funeral rites and folk magic alike. The shift to a first name is modern. Willow entered the US top hundred for girls in 2009. The 1988 fantasy film Willow gave the name a generation of early exposure, and Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith naming their daughter Willow (2000) added celebrity visibility. Currently US top fifty. Rarely shortened.
How to spell Willow
The standard spelling is Willow. Common variants include Willough, Willowe, but Willow is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #37 in 2022, currently #44 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pop culture
Willow Smith is the strongest current association; the 1988 Willow film and Buffy's witch Willow Rosenberg cover the older references.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Willow Smith Singer and daughter of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith
- Willow Rosenberg Buffy the Vampire Slayer's hacker-witch best friend
- Willow (film) 1988 Ron Howard / George Lucas fantasy
Spelling variants
- Willough
- Willowe
Names with the same feeling
See Willow from another angle
By meaning
Common questions
- What does the name Willow mean?
- From the Old English welig, the willow tree. Named for its flexible, weeping branches that bend without breaking.
- What does Willow mean in Old English?
- In Old English, Willow means "Willow tree." The willow has been a symbol of resilience, mourning, and grace in English folk tradition for centuries; willow wands appear in funeral rites and folk magic alike. The shift to a first name is modern. Willow entered the US top hundred for girls in 2009. The 1988 fantasy film Willow gave the name a generation of early exposure, and Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith naming their daughter Willow (2000) added celebrity visibility. Currently US top fifty. Rarely shortened.
- How do you pronounce Willow?
- Willow is pronounced ˈwɪl.oʊ. Say it as WIL-oh, with the stress on the "wil" syllable.
- How do you spell Willow?
- The standard spelling is Willow. Common spelling variants include Willough, Willowe.
- Is Willow a boy or girl name?
- Willow is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Willow?
- Willow ranked #44 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.