What Does the Name Willow Mean?
Willow is a girl's name of Old English origin meaning “"Willow tree".”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Willow |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Old English |
| Meaning | "Willow tree" |
| Variants | Willa, Willamina, Wilhelmina |
| Popularity | Rose strongly in the 2010s into the US top 50, part of the nature-name trend. |
The meaning and origin of Willow
The name Willow means “"Willow tree"” and has Old English origins. From the English word for the willow tree, derived from Old English 'welig'. The slender, graceful tree lends the name connotations of flexibility and grace.
Variants and related names
Willow is related to several other names you may recognize: Willa, Willamina, Wilhelmina. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Willow?
Rose strongly in the 2010s into the US top 50, part of the nature-name trend.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Willow mean?+
The name Willow means “"Willow tree"” and is of Old English origin.
What is the origin of the name Willow?+
Willow originates from Old English.
Is Willow a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Willow has trended in the US over time.
Willow by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press