Williams
Williams is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Son of William; desire and helmet/protection.
Origin and history
Williams originated as a patronymic English surname meaning 'son of William'. Derived from Germanic roots, it combines elements meaning 'will' or 'desire' and 'helmet' or 'protection'. In the United States, it is occasionally chosen as a given name, often to honor a family surname.
Popularity in the United States
6,126 babies in the United States have been named Williams since 1880. It ranks #1537 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1654.
States where it is most popular
- MS (15.7 %)
- CA (14.9 %)
- TX (14.3 %)
- GA (12.9 %)
- AL (8.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 101 |
| 1890-1900 | 106 |
| 1900-1910 | 134 |
| 1910-1920 | 386 |
| 1920-1930 | 603 |
| 1930-1940 | 547 |
| 1940-1950 | 573 |
| 1950-1960 | 606 |
| 1960-1970 | 510 |
| 1970-1980 | 404 |
| 1980-1990 | 383 |
| 1990-2000 | 494 |
| 2000-2010 | 580 |
| 2010-2019 | 426 |
| 2020-2029 | 273 |
Fun facts
- Williams originated in medieval England as a patronymic surname indicating descent from someone named William.
- Using Williams as a given name reflects a longstanding American trend of converting family surnames into first names.