Girl Names That Start with W

48 namesGirl

W names for girls often have a gentle, natural feel. Willow is a graceful tree often found by the water, and Wren is a small, lively songbird. Wrenley and Wrenlee are newer names built on Wren, and Winter and Wynter draw on the quiet beauty of the coldest season. These names reflect a broader interest among parents in names drawn from the natural world.

The letter also includes older names with deep roots. Wilhelmina is a Germanic name built from words for will and helmet, and Willa is a shorter feminine form. Winifred is an old Welsh name linked to a saint, and Winnie began as a pet form of Winifred and other names. Wendy was popularized by a classic Edwardian children's story. Winona is a Dakota name traditionally given to a firstborn daughter. Whitney and Whitley come from English place names, and Waverly has an English place-name origin and a literary history.

Spelling is a consideration with a few of these names, since Winter and Wynter, or Wrenley and Wrenlee, sound alike but look different. Think about whether you prefer the vintage charm of Winifred and Wilhelmina or the simple nature feel of Willow and Wren. Say the full name aloud with your surname before deciding.

Most popular right now

Willow Girl
WIH-loh
“willow tree” · English
#44
Wren Girl
REHN
“wren, a small songbird” · English
#231
Winter Girl
WIHN-tur
“winter” · English
#426
Willa Girl
WIL-uh
“will, desire; protection” · English
#422
Wynter Girl
WIHN-tur
“form of Winter” · English
#457
Whitney Girl
WIHT-nee
“white island” · Old English
#1,046
Wrenley Girl
REHN-lee
“modern blend of Wren and -ley” · American (modern coinage)
#159
Wendy Girl
WEHN-dee
“popularized by Peter Pan” · English
#1,347
Whitley Girl
WIHT-lee
“white clearing” · Old English
#677
Winnie Girl
WIH-nee
“short form of Winifred or Edwina” · English
#475

All 48 names

Sorted by current popularity. US rank uses 2025 data for the name's most common sex; the trend compares births with five years earlier. Tap a column heading to re-sort.

Name Meaning Origin US rank 2025 5-yr trend
Willow willow tree English 44 ↑ +8%
Wren wren, a small songbird English 231 ↑ +54%
Winter winter English 426 ↓ -28%
Willa will, desire; protection English 422 ↓ -16%
Wynter form of Winter English 457 ↓ -18%
Whitney white island Old English 1,046 ↓ -13%
Wrenley modern blend of Wren and -ley American (modern coinage) 159 ↑ +526%
Wendy popularized by Peter Pan English 1,347 ↓ -16%
Whitley white clearing Old English 677 ↑ +55%
Winnie short form of Winifred or Edwina English 475 ↑ +83%
Waverly quaking aspen meadow English 1,028 ↓ -34%
Wrenlee blend of Wren and Lee American (modern coinage) 358 ↑ +825%
Winifred blessed reconciliation; friend of peace Welsh 923 ↑ +28%
Winona firstborn daughter Native American 627 ↑ +203%
Wilhelmina resolute protector German 1,517 ↑ +31%
Wrenleigh wren with the -leigh ending English 685 ↑ +1236%
Winry modern name from an anime character — 1,524 ↑ +59%
Wednesday Woden's day English 3,970 ↓ -51%
Wrenly wren with -ly American (modern coinage) 1,205 ↑ +232%
Wilma short form of Wilhelmina; will helmet German 3,705 ↑ +8%
Winnifred variant of Winifred, 'blessed reconciliation' Welsh 2,540 ↑ +35%
Wynne fair, blessed Welsh 4,456 → -3%
Weslie variant of Wesley, west meadow English 2,353 ↑ +152%
Wanda uncertain, perhaps from the Vandals Polish 6,096 ↑ +11%
Wynona variant of Winona, firstborn daughter Native American 2,820 ↑ +118%
Wendi variant of Wendy English — ↓ -100%
Windy variant of Wendy, or the word windy English 14,835 → 0%
Wallis variant of Wallace, foreigner Scottish 11,862 ↓ -38%
Whittney variant of Whitney, white island Old English — new
Wanita variant of Juanita Spanish — new
Wendolyn variant of Gwendolyn Welsh 11,865 new
Wenona firstborn daughter Native American — new
Wilda uncertain; possibly Germanic, or from wild German — new
Waneta uncertain; possibly a variant of Juanita American (modern coinage) — new
Wendie variant of Wendy English — new
Willia feminine of William Germanic — new
Willene feminine of William American (modern coinage) — new
Willette feminine of William Germanic — new
Willetta feminine of William American (modern coinage) — new
Wonda variant of Wanda English — new
Wava — American (modern coinage) — new
Wende variant of Wendy English — new
Willodean blend of Willa and Dean American (modern coinage) — new
Wilhelmenia variant of Wilhelmina German — new
Wanetta uncertain; related to Juanita or Wanda American (modern coinage) — new
Willena feminine of William American (modern coinage) — new
Wynell Wyn with -ell American (modern coinage) — new
Wenda variant of Wendy English — new