Willoughby is a name of English origin that has been used historically as both a given name and a surname. The name is derived from the Old English word "wylugh" which means "willow tree". It was also associated with the Old Norse god Odin, who was sometimes referred to as "Wilughi" or "Willough". As a surname, Willoughby has been traced back to the village of Willoughby in Lincolnshire, England, where it is believed to have originated.
The use of Willoughby as a given name became more popular during the Victorian era in England. It was often chosen for its literary associations, as there were several characters named Willoughby in works by authors such as Jane Austen and William Thackeray. However, despite its historical roots and literary connections, Willoughby remains relatively uncommon today.
One notable figure with the name Willoughby is the American actor Willoughby Arian Foster, who was born in 1986 and became famous for his roles in films such as "The Blind Side" and "World War Z". Despite its rarity, the name Willoughby has continued to appear occasionally throughout history and culture.
In summary, Willoughby is a name of English origin that means "willow tree" or is associated with the Old Norse god Odin. It was first used as a surname before being adopted as a given name during the Victorian era. Although it remains relatively uncommon today, Willoughby has been carried by several notable individuals throughout history and culture.
The name Willoughby has seen a varied pattern of popularity over the past two decades in the United States. In the year 2000, there were 5 babies named Willoughby, which was followed by an increase to 6 births in 2010.
From 2014 onwards, the number of babies named Willoughby began to fluctuate slightly more. There were 7 births in both 2014 and 2017, but then it dropped down to 5 births in both 2018 and 2019.
Interestingly, from 2020 onwards, there has been a significant uptick in the popularity of the name Willoughby. There were 10 babies named Willoughby in both 2020 and 2021, indicating that it was quite popular during these two years. However, this trend seems to have leveled off slightly, with 6 births in 2022 and 7 births in 2023.
In total, over the past two decades, there have been 76 babies named Willoughby born in the United States. Despite some fluctuations, it appears that the name has maintained a consistent level of popularity throughout this period.