Girl Names Starting with W: Popular Willow to Rising Wednesday

We’re looking at girl names starting with W.

As initials go, it hovers near the bottom of the popularity list at 21st. Only F, Y, X, Q, and U are less often chosen for our daughters’ names.

And yet, girl names starting with W abound. Think of surname names that would wear every bit as well as Avery or Harper. Rarities include everything from vintage gems to well-why-not words to favorite fictional characters.

W girl names stand out just a little, but that’s a good thing.

MOST POPULAR W GIRL NAMES

WILLOW (#44)

A lovely nature name, borrowed from the graceful Willow tree.

WRENLEY (#159)

Two-parts Wren, one-part surname name in the key of Ashley and Hailey. This first name is surging in popularity, with spellings like Wrenlie, Wrenlee, and Wrenleigh not far behind. It’s one of the leading choices in the Nature Plus name trend.

WREN (#231)

The highest flying of the bird names for girls. The double-N Wrenn is sometimes seen, too.

WRENLEE (#358)

Wren-plus-lee feels a little bit like a nature name, something like a surname, and completely new and different, too.

WILLA (#422)

A feminine form of William, far more streamlined than Wilhelmina. Willa Cather makes it forever literary. It owes a little something to the Ella/Bella/Stella chart-toppers, too.

WINTER (#426)

Another season baby name, following Summer and Autumn.

WYNTER (#457)

A twist on popular Winter, with the Y swapped for an I, just like in so many popular names.

WINNIE (#475)

A vintage nickname with plenty of charm, Winnie could be short for lots of formal names – but is more popular than many of them.

WINONA (#627)

As in Ryder. Or Judd. While it has Native American roots, heavy pop culture use makes this more wearable than might otherwise be the case. Wynona and Wynonna are seen, too. Actress Winona Ryder first rose to fame in the 1980s. Her comeback, with Stranger Things and the Beetlejuice sequel, has helped boost her name with a new generation.

WHITLEY (#677)

A cousin to Whitney, now following names like Hadley and Kinsley into wider use. It might read like a recent invention, but it’s also a surname meaning “white meadow.” As with many a -ley ending name, you might also spot a Whitlee or even Whitleigh. The name first caught on thanks to Jasmine Guy’s character in late 1980s/early 90s television series A Different World. Guy is now back as one of the parents in the 2026 reboot.

WRENLEIGH (#685)

One more Wren-plus possibility for the list.

WINIFRED (#923)

An antique that’s ready to shake the dust off, Winifred boasts popular nickname Winnie, and a tailored, delightfully antique sound.

RARE W NAMES FOR GIRLS

WALLIS

Made famous – or infamous – by Bessie Wallis Warfield Simpson, otherwise known as “the woman he loved.” King Edward VIII abdicated the throne to marry her. While Wallis is simply an alternate spelling of surname Wallace, the headlines made us think of this as an acceptable feminine form.

WANDA

The Scarlet Witch leapt from the comic book to the big screen as one of The Avengers. And then she starred in her own 2021 series, WandaVision, on Disney+. The name remains rare, but it’s no longer unfamiliar.

WANGARI

Japanese anime series Little Witch Academia makes this name familiar to fans. Wangari is a student at Luna Nova Magical Academy. Her name means leopard in Kikuyu, a Bantu language spoken primarily in Kenya. Or, on a more serious note, Wangari Maathi was the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize for her environmental activism, conservation work, and focus on women’s rights.

WAVERLY

A surname name that sounds like the ocean, even if it refers to a meadow. Waverlee is also seen.

WAYLON

One of the hottest entries on the boys’ charts, Waylon is used in small numbers for girls, too. Factor in the potential to make this a -lyn name – think Waylyn or Waylynn – and it has even more potential.

WEDNESDAY

The name of the Addams Family’s only daughter, chosen because “Wednesday’s child is full of woe.” Despite that vaguely macabre image, Wednesday feels like a logical choice in our age of Summer and January. The smash hit Netflix series starring Jenna Ortega seems likely to push this name into far greater use.

WELLS

A fast-rising favorite for our sons, Wells suggests health, prosperity, and a hopeful future. Those qualities would be equally appropriate for a daughter. It’s used in small numbers for girls, too.

WENDY

JM Barrie’s level-headed hero, Wendy Darling’s name came from fwendy – a baby-talk way of saying friend. It could also be short for Gwendolyn.

WESLEY

Another borrowed-from-the-boys option. Spell it Weslie, and it brings to mind former favorite Leslie. Weslee and Wesleigh are also in use.

WESLYN and WESLYNN

A feminine form of Wesley, or just another add -lyn invention.

WESTERLY

We love Weston for our sons. Could Westerly be an intriguing feminine form? It sounds a little storybook, bringing to mind the western wind and the Wild West.

WHITAKER

A polished, preppy surname name with irresistible nickname Whit, Whitaker is used in small numbers for boys – and even smaller numbers for girls. It’s fresher than Harper, less expected than Whitney.

WHITNEY

A surname name boosted by an actor and a singer, Whitney was part of the Ashley-Courtney wave, paving the way for so many favorites today.

WILDA

Old school German name used in the US into the 1950s, but eclipsed by Willa today. Might be rediscovered if we ever return to names like Norma and Lorna.

WILDER

Another fast-rising favorite for boys, Wilder could work for a girl as well. After all, the outdoors and all sorts of adventure are equal opportunity. The spelling Wylder is seen, too.

WILDFLOWER

Among the boldest of the pan-botanical names, Cameron Diaz used it as a middle for daughter Raddix.

WILEY, WYLIE

Either way you spell it – and that includes Wylee and Wyleigh – this surname name follows Riley into wider use.

WILHELMINA

Long and elaborate, this German feminine form of William – via Wilhelm – is instantly recognized, but seldom heard. One familiar use: modeling agency Wilhelmina, founded by 1960s model Wilhelmina Cooper.

WILLAMINA

Another feminine form of William, or an elaboration of Willa.

WILLOUGHBY

Willoughby is just plain fun to say. It picks up on popular Willow, but takes it in a surname direction. It does, indeed, mean “farm by the willows.”

WILMA

Willa is white-hot, but Wilma? This name is back in Bedrock with Fred and Barney. At least for now. A German short form of Wilhelmina big in the 1920s and 30s, it’s easy to imagine Wilma staging a comeback – eventually.

WINFREY

Oprah’s surname likely traces its roots to Winfred – friend of peace. It influenced our spelling of Winifred, too.

WINRY

A name borrowed from Full Metal Alchemist character Winry Rockbell.

WINSLET

A Hollywood surname name with an appealing sound, equal parts substantial and whimsical.

WINSLEY

A Kinsley-inspired innovention.

WINSLOW

An o-ending surname in the key of Harlow.

WINSOME

Winsome means charming and light-hearted. It’s not a terribly serious name, but it’s a very happy one.

WISDOM

Chart-topping Sophia means wisdom, but this straight-up word name is used for small, but steady, numbers of boys and girls every year.

WISTERIA

A lovely nature name, seldom heard but certainly as wearable as Azalea.

WRAY

Rey is a Jedi hero. But Wray? If you know your classic Hollywood, it brings to mind Fay Wray, the actor King Kong carried to the top of the Empire State Building. Originally an English place name, it’s an intriguing option, but maybe better in the middle spot.

WRENNA

From the Old English wrenna – the source of our word wren.

WRIGLEY

The ultimate name for Chicago Cubs’ fans.

WYNNE

From the Welsh word for fair or blessed, Wynne sounds triumphant.

What are your favorite girl names starting with W?

First published on November 23, 2020, this post was revised and updated on February 14, 2022; March 27, 2023; April 8, 2024; November 5, 2025; and November 2, 2026.