Willene Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Willene is an English name derived from the Germanic name Wilhelmina, meaning 'resolute protector'. It has evolved from historical forms like Wilhelmina to its current form. The name reflects traits of strength and independence, with no direct biblical relevance. It became popular in the 20th century and is recognized today for its vintage appeal.
The name Willene is most popular in Georgia, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Silent Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Willene has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in South. Across generations, 'Willene' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1122nd out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 845th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1722nd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 6814th out of 19264 names. Discover how the name 'Willene' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Willene"
Pronunciation
/wɪˈliːn/
Origin
English
Etymology
Willene is a feminine given name derived from the Old Germanic name 'Wilhelmina', which means 'resolute protector'. It combines the elements 'will', meaning 'desire' or 'will', and 'helm', meaning 'helmet' or 'protection'.
Meaning
resolute protector
Language Evolution
Wilhelmina, Willene
Historical Usage
Willene gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in the United States, as a unique and feminine variant of traditional names.
Variants & Derivatives
Willa, Wilma, Willie
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Willene is considered a vintage name that carries a classic charm and a sense of individuality, often associated with strength and independence.
Famous People
Willene Johnson, an American artist known for her work in the 20th century., Willene McGowan, an influential educator and community leader.
Explore More Willene Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Willene"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Willene"
"Willene" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1122nd of 9107 | 785 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 845th of 9204 | 1,327 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1722nd of 12526 | 713 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 6814th of 19264 | 103 |
Regional Popularity of "Willene" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Willene" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
95.13% 1347th/1416 |
- |
27.73% 656th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
89.07% 1377th/1546 |
- |
23.54% 554th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
39.26% 1120th/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - |
93.83% 3301st/3518 |
- |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Willene"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Willene" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.