William
Peaked at #2 nationally in 1880, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, William has been recorded <1% of the time for girls and >99% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
William comes from the Germanic "Willahelm," combining "wil" (will, desire) and "helm" (helmet, protection), often rendered as "resolute protector." It became firmly established in England after William the Conqueror's 1066 invasion, and it has remained one of the most enduring names in the English-speaking world ever since.
Notable people & culture
Three U.S. presidents were named William — Harrison, McKinley, and Taft — and the name has been carried by numerous English kings, including the current heir apparent, Prince William. William Shakespeare remains its most famous literary bearer, alongside modern figures like William Shatner. Popular nicknames include Bill, Will, Billy, and Liam.
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William — Girls (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#281
in 1883
Current rank
#11017
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1880, William reached its peak popularity for girls in 1883, ranking #281 nationally with 40 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #5786 (2014) to #11017 (2024) — a 47% drop.
As of 2024, William ranks #11017 nationally for girls, with 9 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #11,017 | 9 |
| 2023 | #15,064 | 6 |
| 2022 | #13,487 | 7 |
| 2021 | #5,938 | 21 |
| 2020 | #7,942 | 14 |
| 2019 | #9,082 | 12 |
| 2018 | #9,125 | 12 |
| 2017 | #6,791 | 18 |
William — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#2
in 1880
Current rank
#10
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Falling
William was already at its most popular for boys in 1880 (the earliest year in this data, ranked #2), with 9,532 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #5 (2014) to #10 (2024) — a 50% drop.
As of 2024, William ranks #10 nationally for boys, with 10,596 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #10 | 10,596 |
| 2023 | #10 | 10,653 |
| 2022 | #6 | 11,349 |
| 2021 | #6 | 12,166 |
| 2020 | #5 | 12,673 |
| 2019 | #4 | 13,649 |
| 2018 | #3 | 14,645 |
| 2017 | #3 | 15,042 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — boys' names only.
Common Questions
When was William most popular?
William was most popular in 1880, when it ranked #2 nationally for boys — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is William becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently falling; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named William?
At least 4,205,026 babies have been recorded with the name William in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like William? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.