Willa
Girl name · 14 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Willa: 14 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 4 births in 2019.
Willa is a feminine given name with deep Germanic roots, deriving from the Old High German elements *willo* (will, desire) and *helm* (helmet, protection) – making it a short form of Wilhelmina and ultimately a female equivalent of William, meaning "resolute protector." The name gained literary prestige through American novelist Willa Cather, famed for *O Pioneers!* and *My Ántonia*, whose works captured frontier life. Actress Willa Holland, known for her role in *The O.C.*, later brought the name to a younger generation. Though no major places bear the exact name, it shares its root with countless William-named towns worldwide. A charmingly vintage choice, Willa saw a revival in Scotland and beyond during the early 2000s, offering a softer, more melodic alternative to its longer counterparts.
Girl 4 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 20194 babies
- Latest (2024)
- #6384 babies
- Total births
- 14since 2015
- 5-year trend
- ≈ stablevs prior 5y