Willa
How to say it: WIL-uh · /ˈwɪlə/
Feminine form of William; from Germanic 'wil' (will) + 'helm' (helmet, protection).
Willa was the 427th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 742 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up about 10% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #475 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #427 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 742 |
| Share of births | 1 in 4,468 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | +10% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #475 |
| In France, 2025 | #2,541 among girls’ names, 5 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Climbing steadily in recent decades, Willa now finds its strongest showing in the 2020s. Resting at its peak, it may soften slightly soon.
What goes with it
Soft and gentle with literary warmth, said as WIL uh. Nora carries a kindred spirit.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Willa is about 1 in 187.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French, German.
In France: #2,541 for girls in 2025.
Famous people named Willa
- Willa Cather (1873–1947)American writer
- Willa Holland (born 1991)American actress
- Willa Fitzgerald (born 1991)American actress
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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