What customs and traditions are associated with English baby names?

English naming customs typically involve three elements - a given name, a middle name (s), and a family name. The British follow a patrilineal naming system where the child inherits their fathers family name. However, following the patrilineal naming system is not mandatory. Instead, parents have the freedom to choose their childs last name. Some parents could also give their child the mothers last name. In contrast, others may provide both mother and father surnames in a hyphenated form, reflecting the flexibility in English naming traditions and customs.

How do English baby names reflect a person's heritage?

English naming conventions are diverse, encompassing people from different religions, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds. Many parents may opt for names that mirror their ethnic and cultural connections. For example, parents of Irish heritage may choose titles like Liam. On the other hand, those of Greek origin might opt for names like Sophia or Alexander. Parents may also pick names that reflect their regional heritage. For example, Devon and Kent are names inspired by specific regions or places within England. Furthermore, many families pass down names from one generation to another or choose monikers inspired by literary and historical figures.

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223 English Baby Names with Meanings, Starting With W

Written by Shikha Thakur, MBA Specialty: Relationships and Baby NamesExperience: 7 years

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Edited by Siddharth Kesiraju, MA, Certification in Relationship Coaching Specialty: Love, Marriage and RelationshipsExperience: 7 years

Siddharth holds a certification in Relationship Coaching and a masters degree in communication and journalism from the University of Hyderabad. He has around seven years of experience in various fields of writing and editing.

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Fact-checked by Praggya Joshi, MA, BEd Specialty: Child education & activitiesExperience: 2 years

Praggya Joshi holds a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's in Ancient Indian History from University of Delhi. She has a robust knowledge of literature, society, and ethics. Praggya has been a content writer since 2021, researching and writing on education, health and wellness, and travel.

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Last Updated on Oct 3, 2023

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Name	Gender	Meaning
William	Boy	Will; Protector
Wyatt	Boy	Brave at war; War strength
Willow	Girl	Willow tree; Freedom
Waylon	Boy	Craft; Cunning
Wesley	Boy	West meadow
Weston	Boy	From the western town
Wren	Girl	Small, singing bird
Walter	Boy	Army ruler; Power of the army
Winter	Girl	Winter season; Water; Wet
Warren	Boy	Protector; Guard; Animal enclosure

Willa	Girl	Resolute protection
Winston	Boy	Stone of joy
Wells	Boy	Spring; A person who lived near a well or spring
Watson	Boy	Son of Watt; Power of the army
Westin	Boy	From the western town
Winnie	Girl	White; Blessed; Stream; Flow; Pacify; Quell; Reconcile
Wilson	Boy	Will helmet; Son of Will
Westley	Boy	West woodland; West clearing
Wayne	Boy	Wagon builders
Wesson	Boy	West town

Whitley	Girl	From the white field
Wes	Unisex	West meadow
Winifred	Girl	Friend of peace; Blessed reconcile
Will	Boy	Determined guardian; Resolute protector
Winona	Girl	First-born daughter
Warner	Boy	Cautious army; Defender
Wiley	Unisex	Resolute protector; Noble spirit; River Wylye; Willow clearing; Crafty
Westyn	Unisex	From the Western town; Enclosure; Yard
Wolf	Unisex	Wolf; Path of the wolf
Wilmer	Boy	Famous; Strong desire

Wilhelmina	Unisex	Will helmet; Resolute protector
Woodrow	Boy	Row of houses by the wood
Winry	Girl	White; Blessed; Friend of peace
West	Unisex	One who is from the west; Evening; Night
Westlyn	Unisex	West
Wendell	Boy	A Vandal; Name of a Germanic tribe
Waylen	Unisex	Crafty; Cunning
Willis	Boy	Resolute protector; Will helmet
Whitaker	Unisex	White field
Welles	Unisex	Well; Spring; Water hole

Williams	Boy	Son of William
Ward	Girl	Guard; Rich guard
Walt	Boy	Power of the army; Powerful warrior; Dweller by the wall; Forest
Waylan	Boy	Crafty; Cunning
Weslee	Unisex	West meadow, woodland, or clearing
Wolfe	Boy	Wolf
Wayde	Unisex	A ford; To go
Wynona	Girl	Firstborn daughter
Wynston	Boy	Joy and stone
Weslyn	Unisex	West meadow; Lake

Wayland	Unisex	Battle; Brave; Small wood grove; Craft
Weslynn	Unisex	West meadow; Lake
Walden	Boy	Welshman from the valley; Foreigner from the valley
Whit	Unisex	White; Pale; White-haired
Weldon	Boy	Hill near a spring
Whitten	Unisex	Wood; Forest; To rule; To lead
Weller	Unisex	One who lives by a stream or spring; One who extracted salt from seawater
Wylder	Unisex	Wild animal
Warrick	Boy	A leader who defends; Settlement near a dam
Wynne	Unisex	Fair; Blessed; Friend

Willard	Boy	Firm desire; Strong will
Wilber	Boy	Wild boar; Bright; Willful
Wanda	Girl	A wend; Slender; Young tree
Walton	Unisex	Stream town; Wood town; Wall town
Willy	Unisex	Resolute protector; Will helmet
Wisdom	Unisex	Intelligence; Knowledge; Understanding
Wilbur	Boy	Wild boar; Will; Desire; Fortress
Whitman	Boy	White man
Whittaker	Boy	White field
Wilhelm	Girl	Will helmet; Resolute protector

Woodson	Boy	From the houses in the woods; Descendant of a woodcutter
Windsor	Unisex	Riverbank with a windlass
Washington	Unisex	Settlement of Wassa's people
Wilfred	Unisex	Desiring peace
Willamina	Girl	Will helmet; Resolute protector
Wheeler	Unisex	Someone who makes or repairs wheels; Wheels
Wynonna	Girl	First-born daughter
Waylin	Unisex	Crafty; Cunning
Woods	Unisex	Row of houses by the wood
Wilma	Girl	Resolute protector; Strong-willed warrior; Desire for protection; Vehement protector

Winn	Girl	White; Blessed
Winslow	Unisex	Hill belonging to friend
Webb	Unisex	A weaver
Wylee	Unisex	Willow clearing
Wrenn	Unisex	Small songbird
Wilton	Unisex	Well town; Willow town; Town on the river Wylye; Tricky
Wake	Boy	Vigilant
Wrangler	Unisex	Tough; To wrestle
Willian	Girl	Will helmet; Resolute protector
Weslie	Unisex	West meadow

Wright	Boy	Craftsman
Wilbert	Boy	Bright will or desire
Wrenley	Unisex	Songbird
Whitt	Unisex	Wise man
Wil	Unisex	Desire; Will; Protection
Wylan	Unisex	Craft; Cunning; Wayside land
Wynn	Unisex	White; Blessed
Woody	Boy	A land covered with trees; Wooded area; Row of houses by a wood
Wyland	Unisex	Brave in battle; Battlefield
Weylyn	Unisex	Craft; Cunning

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Infographic: Meaningful English Baby Names with Meanings, Starting With W

If you are ready to embark on the journey to find a meaningful name for your child, check out our infographic below. It shares a list of English Baby Names with Meanings, Starting With W that are elegant and distinct. These options are selected from diverse cultures and languages, offering you the best baby name options worldwide. Scroll through the list to find a suitable name based on your preference and liking.

English Baby Names with Meanings, Starting With W(infographic)

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.