Willamae is a unique and distinctive female given name of African American origin. It is believed to have been created in the early 20th century as part of the larger trend of creating new names for black Americans during this period.
The meaning and history behind Willamae are not well-documented, as it is not a traditional African or African American name with a long-established history. However, some sources suggest that Willamae may have been created by combining elements from other names, such as William and Mae. The name William has Germanic origins and means "strong-willed warrior," while Mae is a short form of the Latin name Maria, which means "sea of bitterness" or "star of the sea."
Despite its lack of historical significance, Willamae has been used by some families in the United States as a unique way to honor their African American heritage and traditions. It is also possible that the name was created for personal reasons, such as to honor a family member or to express a specific meaning that resonates with the parents.
Overall, Willamae is an uncommon but meaningful name choice for those looking for something distinctive and reflective of their cultural background or personal values.
The given statistics show the number of babies named Willamae born in the United States each year from 1912 to 2023. During this period, there were a total of 399 babies named Willamae born in the U.S.
Interestingly, the name's popularity fluctuated greatly over the years. The name reached its peak in popularity in 1923 with 28 births that year, but then steadily declined until it became quite rare by the mid-20th century. There were no recorded births of babies named Willamae between 1950 and 1962.
However, since 2019, there has been a resurgence in the use of this name, with at least five babies named Willamae born each year from 2019 to 2023. In fact, 2023 saw the highest number of Willamae births since 1947, with ten babies being given this name.
This data illustrates how naming trends can change over time and how even a once-popular name like Willamae can fall out of favor before making a comeback many decades later.