Of English origin.
From the name of the willow tree.
According to Wiktionary, the etymology of the word “willow” derives from the Old English word “welig” associated with the Ancient Greek word ἑλίκη (helíkē).
Willows are deciduous trees, meaning they seasonally shed their leaves and they are found in several cultural traditions, such as English, Greek, Japanese, etc.
Fans of the Harry Potter series are familiar with the “Whomping Willow” tree planted in the Hogwarts grounds.
For the more classic types, associations will be made with “The Willow Song” sung by Desdemona’s character in Shakespeare’s Othello.
Several traditions are also connected with the willow trees, such as Celtic and Christian.
The association with the Ancient Greek “ἑλίκη”, helíkē, connects the name with the notions of stability, recovery, and encouragement.
In Ancient Greek, this was a much-appreciated herb for its therapeutic value. «Ελίκη», Helice, was one of Zeus’ nurses and Helike is also the name given by scientist in one of the planet Jupiter’s moons.
This name is also associated with flexibility because willow trees are capable of bending in outrageous poses.
Willows represent adaptability, the ability to withstand challenges, and a deeper understanding of how life puts us in different situations and urges us to embrace the notion of the subconscious.
A charming and symbolic name, Willow was chosen by pop star Pink, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith for their daughters.
No wonder, Willow is rising in the U.S.A. Social Security Administration lists of name popularity and was ranked #81 in 2017.