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.
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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 |