Willa

“Variant of Wilhelmina — Will and protection” — Germanic origin

Girl's name · #422 in the US (2025) · Comeback

Willa has appeared in US records since 1880 — best rank #273 (1932) · 32,824 babies named Willa all-time · 1 in 2,200 girls born in 2025.

Around the world: about 1 in 460 girls in New Zealand (2025) · about 1 in 2,200 girls in Canada (2024) · about 1 in 4,900 girls in England & Wales (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 44 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Willas

Willa Cather — American writer (1873–1947)
Willa Holland — American actress
Willa Fitzgerald — American actress (born 1991)
Willa Ford — American actor, model, singer, composer, dancer and musician
Willa Brown — American pilot and aviation educator (1906-1992)

In stories & tradition

Willa — ThunderCats

What Willas become

Among 45 notable people named Willa:

No single standout — notable Willas spread across many fields.

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.