| Willow | Ivy | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Willow tree; grace | Ivy plant; fidelity |
| Origin | English | English |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | WIL-oh | EYE-vee |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1890 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 2021 (5,195) | 2024 (5,343) |
| In 2025 | 4,763 | 5,117 |
| Trend | Near its peak | Near its peak |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Willow | Ivy |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 28,868 | 28,572 |
| 2010s | 27,072 | 23,492 |
| 2000s | 6,024 | 9,290 |
| 1990s | 1,217 | 5,119 |
| 1980s | 344 | 3,105 |
| 1970s | 502 | 2,573 |
| 1960s | 139 | 1,963 |
| 1950s | 138 | 2,510 |
| 1940s | 175 | 832 |
| 1930s | 208 | 791 |
| 1920s | 252 | 1,179 |
| 1910s | 111 | 1,314 |
| 1900s | 40 | 701 |
| 1890s | 5 | 764 |
| 1880s | 0 | 508 |
Willow is an English nature name from the graceful, flexible tree, which has long symbolised resilience and gentleness.
Ivy is an English nature name from the climbing plant, a traditional emblem of fidelity and lasting attachment.
Ivy is more popular than Willow today: about 5,117 US babies were given the name Ivy in 2025, compared with 4,763 named Willow.
Willow means Willow tree; grace (English origin), while Ivy means Ivy plant; fidelity (English origin).
In US records, Willow first appears in 1890 and Ivy in 1880, so Ivy has the longer recorded history.