Baby Names Starting With W
W is the 17th most common starting letter for baby names in the US — 2.4% of babies given a top-1,000 name have one. Willow and William lead the way.
How popular is the letter W?
Measured across every name in the 2025 SSA top 1,000 lists.
W names rising fastest
Already in the top 1,000 and still climbing — the W names gaining ground.
Where W names come from
Origins of the W names in the top 1,000. English leads with 32.
All baby names starting with W
308 names found
Waad
Promise
Wacey
Watchman or alert
Wade
At the river crossing
Wael
Seeking shelter or one who returns to safety
Waelyn
Pool of the Welsh or foreigner
Wafa
Faithfulness, loyalty, and sincerity
Wafaa
Loyalty, faithfulness, and sincerity
Wagner
Wagon maker or driver
Wahab
Giver, bestower, or donor
Wahaj
Shining, brilliant, or luminous
Wahid
The One, unique, peerless
Wajiha
Eminent, distinguished, or beautiful
Wake
Watchful or alert; also refers to a trail of water
Wakely
Damp meadow or watchful meadow
Walaa
Loyalty, devotion, or allegiance
Waldemar
Famous ruler
Walden
Valley of the Britons
Waldo
Rule of the forest
Wale
To come home
Waleed
Newborn child or boy
Baby names starting with W: common questions
What is the most popular baby name starting with W?
Willow is the most popular girls' name starting with W (#44 in the US), and William is the most popular boys' name (#9), based on 2025 Social Security Administration data.
How common are baby names starting with W?
W is the 17th most common starting letter for baby names in the US. 61,755 babies — 2.4% of those given a top-1,000 name in 2025 — received a name beginning with W, across 34 different names.
Which W names are getting more popular?
Walker, Wrenley, Wren, Warren, Wells are all in the top 1,000 and climbing in national popularity.
Where do W baby names come from?
Among W names in the top 1,000, the most common origins are English (32 names), Germanic (8 names), French (3 names).