Willoughby Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity

At a Glance

Meaning

Willow settlement or farm — a place where willow trees grew

Origin

Old English/Old Norse (place name)

Gender

Used for both boys and girls

Pronunciation

WIL-uh-beeListen

Willoughby comes from an Old English and Old Norse place name meaning a willow settlement or farm — a spot where willow trees grew. It's the kind of name that carries a literal patch of earth in it rather than an abstract virtue, which gives it a grounded, place-rooted feel. For parents drawn to English surname-style names with a clear, traceable origin, that's the story behind this one.

Meaning & Origin of Willoughby

Meaning: Willow settlement or farm — a place where willow trees grew.

Origin: Old English/Old Norse (place name).

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Willoughby

Popularity of Willoughby

Willoughby has never been common: it peaked at #2221 in 1923, when 15 babies were given the name, and Social Security data going back to 1915 shows it's stayed rare ever since. By 2024 it ranked #10194, with just 10 babies given the name that year.

Names Like Willoughby

These names have followed a similar path to Willoughby in U.S. popularity over the years.

• Halton
• Elmar
• Ichiro
• Ailene
• Rufina
• Meriam

FAQ

What does the name Willoughby mean?

Willow settlement or farm — a place where willow trees grew. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Willoughby?

Willoughby is pronounced WIL-uh-bee (IPA: /ˈwɪləbi/).

Is Willoughby a popular name right now?

Willoughby peaked at #2221 in 1923 and is ranked #10194 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1915–2024.)

Make Willoughby Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Willoughby, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.