Origin, Meaning, And History of Willow
Named after one of the most graceful trees, Willow is a name derived from the Old English word welig, which refers to the ‘willow tree.’ Willow is the modern version of Welbig which evolved after the development of the language. It also means ‘freedom’ in English, derived from the free-swinging branches of the tree.
The Willow tree is associated with grace and elegance, meaning slim, tall, and lithe. The branches of the tree bend rather than break apart. The trees are strong and grow easily in cold and temperate regions; therefore, the name Willow signifies strength and resilience. The name symbolizes false love and despair in Shakespeare’s Othello. Anecdotal evidence suggests that people used willow branches and twigs for pain relief.
The willow tree is mentioned several times in the Bible, and a verse mentions, “We hanged our harps on the willows in the middle thereof,” referring to the Jews who were captivated in Babylon in remembrance of their homeland.
Willow is an ancient tree that has traversed as a magical figure from the Bible to Shakespeare to Harry Potter. The willow tree appears as a symbolic figure in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” as a tree that hangs over Ophelia, symbolizing sin and grief. Just as fruits fall from trees before they are ripe, Ophelia’s untimely death is related to the willow tree. The Whomping Willow is a large magical tree in “Harry Potter ” which can move its limbs whenever it feels threatened and is located on the Hogwarts ground.
This symbolic name can be alternatively spelled as Willoh, Wilow, Willo, Wylow, and Wyllow and makes some adorable nicknames, Will, Willa, Lo, Lolo, Willy, Lola, and Wills.
Willow was not a very popular name in the US till the 2000s. It has been used as a popular fictional name for several characters in popular culture. Willow Rosenberg is a fictional character developed for the fantasy TV series“Buffy The Vampire Slayer.”She is quirky, shy, and extremely intelligent and is played by Alyson Hannigan.Grandmother Willowis a talking Willow tree depicted as an ancient and wise figure from the animated movie “Pocahontas.”Willow Ufgoodis another fictional character in the 1988 fantasy movie “Willow.”
Willow
Girl
Christianity
English
4
Two
1 word, 6 letters, 2 vowels, 4 consonants
Medium length and easy to pronounce
How To Pronounce Willow?
The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.
Listen to the sound of the name Willow in English.
Famous People With The Name Willow
- Willow Camille Reign SmithAmerican music artist and actress, awarded with a BET Award, a Young Artist award, and an NAACP Image award
- Willow DawsonCanadian illustrator and cartoonist, known for her work “The Big Green Book of the Big Blue Sea”
- Willow ShieldsAmerican actress, known for her role in “The Hunger Games”
- Willow PattersonAmerican drag performer, nicknamed Willow Pill.
- Willow BayAmerican journalist, editor, author, former model, and dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
Willow On The Popularity Chart
Willow has not been a much popular name in the US until recently when it rose to immense popularity, especially in the 2000s. Check for the graph below to understand how the name is a top pick currently.
Popularity Over Time
As represented in the graph, Willow was a less popular name until 1995, after which it gained momentum and still continues to rise in popularity.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
The name’s ranking is improving parallelly with its popularity. Check out the graph to see year-by-year improvement.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Willow
If you like the stylish sound of Willow, you will also like these similar-sounding names. Have a look!
Popular Sibling Names For Willow
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Willow, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Willow
Find matching brother names for Willow and create a wonderful team of siblings.
Waali
Wael
Walcot
Walden
Waldo
Waldron
Waleed
Waliyudeen
Walliyullah
Walraven
Girl Sibling Names For Willow
Looking for some suitable sister names for Willow? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
Waiola
Walda
Waleeya
Waleis
Walentyna
Walidah
Walita
Walta
Waltraud
Welsie
Other Popular Names Beginning With W
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter W to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
Names With Similar Meaning As Willow
Are you looking for a name with similar nuances? Here are some options to discover.
Infographic: Know The Name Willow‘s Personality As Per Numerology
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How To Communicate The Name Willow In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
willow
In Sign Language
willow
In Braille Alphabet
willow
In Morse Code
willow
Name Numerology For Willow
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Willow?
The name Willow means ‘willow tree.’
2. What is the origin of the name Willow?
Willow has an English origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Willow?
Willow is pronounced as wil-low.
4. What middle name goes with Willow?
Willow connotes tenderness and grace; hence, you may choose middle names with similar significance. WillowRosecombines Willow’s gentle and graceful qualities with a rose’s timeless beauty and elegance. For an earthy touch, WillowJadepairs the name with the vibrant green gemstone symbolizing growth and harmony. Lastly, WillowRiverevokes images of meandering waters, serenity, and the untamed beauty of nature. These combinations create a sense of enchantment and connection to the natural world, enhancing the charm and depth of the name Willow.
5. Is Willow a trendy or timeless name choice?
Willow can be considered a modern name, and it gained significant notability in recent years, partly influenced by Taylor Swift’s song titled ‘Willow.’ The song’s release added to the name’s appeal and expanded its popularity.
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