Will my child share the name Willoughby with classmates?

Unlikely. With around 11 UK babies named Willoughby per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Willoughby in their class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.

Is Willoughby becoming more or less popular in the UK?

Willoughby is rising: up 827 places since 2020, to #2,133 in 2025. Its best recorded position was #1,124 in 2008.

Is Willoughby a good choice for a distinctive name?

Willoughby is a distinctive choice sitting outside the mainstream UK top names. Parents choosing less common names often find their children appreciate the individuality as they grow up, rarely needing to add an initial to distinguish themselves.

Is Willoughby a popular baby name in the United States?

Willoughby does not appear in the US top 1,000 baby names, making it a distinctively British choice.

👦 Boy's name 💎 Relatively Unique UK #2133

Willoughby

🗳️ Add Willoughby to a family shortlist

Willoughby is a distinctive choice, ranked #2133 in 2025. Your child is likely to be the only Willoughby in their class.

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UK Rank 2025

#2133

About the Name Willoughby

Willoughby has seen a notable decline in recent years, dropping 1357 places in five years. It was most popular in 2008 at #1124 — parents choosing it today are making a deliberately counter-trend decision. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1997.

Willoughby is rare in the UK, so your child is very likely to be the only Willoughby in their class.