Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Willia
GirlGermanic, English· “feminine of William”
- Meaning
- feminine of William
- Origin
- Germanic, English
- Pronunciation
- WIHL-ee-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- Unranked
- US babies 2025
- 0
- Best rank
- #620 (1902)
- Peak year
- 1928
Meaning and origin of Willia
Willia is a Germanic and English name that is usually said to mean “feminine of William”.
Willia is a feminine form of William, made simply by adding -a. William comes from the Germanic Wilhelm, from wil, will or desire, and helm, helmet or protection, so it is often glossed resolute protector. The Norman Conquest made William one of the most common English names, and feminine forms such as Wilhelmina, Willa and Willie followed. Willia was used in the American South in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It is said WIHL-ee-uh. Willa is a close and more familiar relative, and Willie is a natural nickname.
Popularity over time
Willia first appears in US Social Security records in 1882. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 40 different years, starting in 1892. Its best national rank was #620 in 1902, and the most babies received it in 1928, when 94 were named Willia. It did not appear in the 2025 data, which only lists names given to at least five babies.
Its national rank moved from #902 in 1920 and #1,332 in 1950. Of the 3,316 US girls named Willia since records began, 22% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 692 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Elizebeth, Herminia, Willene, Rosaline, and Audry.
Gender, sound and spelling
About 86% of US babies named Willia over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Willia is usually pronounced WIHL-ee-uh, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with W and ends in “-ia”.
Middle names for Willia
A few middle names that flow with Willia: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Willia
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Lists that include Willia
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Willia mean?
Willia is a Germanic and English name that is usually said to mean “feminine of William”.
What is the origin of the name Willia?
Willia has Germanic and English roots. Willia is a feminine form of William, made simply by adding -a.
Is Willia a popular name?
No. Willia was not recorded for five or more babies of its most common sex in 2025, so it is rare today.
Is Willia a boy or girl name?
Willia is mainly a girl's name. About 86% of US babies named Willia over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Willia?
Willia is usually pronounced WIHL-ee-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings