Willene
Willene is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Resolute protector or strong-willed helmet.
Origin and history
Willene is a feminine elaboration of the classic English name William, which derives from Germanic roots meaning 'resolute protector'. It gained popularity in the early to mid-20th century in the United States as part of a trend of adding feminine suffixes to traditional male names. In contemporary times, it has become extremely rare, giving it a vintage, Southern retro charm.
Popularity in the United States
2,928 babies in the United States have been named Willene since 1880. It ranks #3278 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- GA (41.5 %)
- AL (14.9 %)
- AR (13.1 %)
- TN (10.8 %)
- TX (5.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 20 |
| 1910-1920 | 234 |
| 1920-1930 | 697 |
| 1930-1940 | 779 |
| 1940-1950 | 614 |
| 1950-1960 | 372 |
| 1960-1970 | 178 |
| 1970-1980 | 34 |
| 1980-1990 | 0 |
| 1990-2000 | 0 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Nicknames
Willie, Willa, Lena
Fun facts
- Willene was created by appending the feminine suffix '-ene' to the stem 'Will', similar to names like Charlene or Jolene.
- The name enjoyed its highest frequency of usage in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s.