William
William is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Resolute protector or desire and helmet.
Origin and history
William is derived from the Old German name Wilhelm, composed of elements meaning desire or protection. It was introduced to England by William the Conqueror in 1066 and has remained a classic, top-ranking name in the United States for generations. It is currently one of the most consistently popular traditional male names in America.
Popularity in the United States
4,199,696 babies in the United States have been named William since 1880. It ranks #5 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #6.
States where it is most popular
- NY (8.2 %)
- PA (7.6 %)
- CA (5.6 %)
- OH (5.2 %)
- IL (5.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 84,881 |
| 1890-1900 | 72,244 |
| 1900-1910 | 69,320 |
| 1910-1920 | 303,017 |
| 1920-1930 | 512,402 |
| 1930-1940 | 416,730 |
| 1940-1950 | 556,478 |
| 1950-1960 | 591,228 |
| 1960-1970 | 421,433 |
| 1970-1980 | 283,401 |
| 1980-1990 | 248,277 |
| 1990-2000 | 217,822 |
| 2000-2010 | 194,415 |
| 2010-2019 | 159,981 |
| 2020-2029 | 68,067 |
Famous people named William
- William Shakespeare: Playwright, Poet
- William Faulkner: Author, Novelist
- William Shatner: Actor
Nicknames
Will, Bill, Billy, Liam, Willy
Fun facts
- The name gained immense popularity in England following the coronation of William the Conqueror in 1066.
- It has been borne by four Kings of England and remains a core name in the British royal family.
- William has ranked among the top names for U.S. boys since records began in 1880.