Willa

Willa is a feminine form of William, derived from Old High German Willahelm, composed of wil (will, desire) and helm (helmet, protection). It means 'resolute protector' — a strong meaning tucked inside a name that sounds entirely soft and ethereal.

Willa is having a quiet renaissance, and it's easy to understand why. The name has a dreamy, literary quality — it calls to mind Willa Cather, the great American novelist, and a certain kind of thoughtful, expansive personality. For pets, Willa works beautifully for female dogs and cats with a gentle but quietly assured demeanor: the ones who observe before acting, who are deeply bonded to their person, and who carry themselves with a kind of unhurried grace. It's a name for an animal you can already tell is going to be your best friend.