Billy
Billy is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Resolute protector or willful helmet.
Origin and history
Billy originated as a diminutive of William, derived from the Germanic elements meaning 'will' and 'helmet' or 'protection'. While predominantly given to males in the U.S., it has a long history of minor usage for females, often as a diminutive of Billie or Wilhelmina. Contemporary female usage remains relatively rare but steady.
Popularity in the United States
5,432 babies in the United States have been named Billy since 1880. It ranks #2339 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2028.
States where it is most popular
- TX (36.4 %)
- OK (10.6 %)
- TN (7.5 %)
- AR (7.3 %)
- KY (5.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 5 |
| 1900-1910 | 44 |
| 1910-1920 | 247 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,116 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,102 |
| 1940-1950 | 608 |
| 1950-1960 | 483 |
| 1960-1970 | 488 |
| 1970-1980 | 710 |
| 1980-1990 | 360 |
| 1990-2000 | 128 |
| 2000-2010 | 33 |
| 2010-2019 | 35 |
| 2020-2029 | 73 |
Fun facts
- Billy evolved in medieval England as a pet form of William through the common phonetic alteration of 'W' to 'B'.
- Although spelled 'Billie' more frequently for females, 'Billy' has consistently appeared in U.S. female birth records since 1880.