Boy · 66th of 6,773
Bill
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
161,173
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1947
Peak Popularity Year
4,688
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Bill stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Bill has its roots in Old English and is a diminutive of William, which means 'resolves' or 'protection'. It has evolved through various historical forms and gained popularity as an informal yet friendly name. There is no biblical relevance associated with it, and it is associated with notable figures such as Bill Gates and Bill Clinton.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/bɪl/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Bill is derived from the name William, which comes from the Old Germanic elements 'wil' meaning 'will' or 'desire' and 'helm' meaning 'helmet' or 'protection'.
Meaning
Resolves, protection
Language Evolution
Wilhelm (Old High German), Willelm (Old French), William (Middle English), Bill (Short form of William)
Historical Usage
The name Bill gained popularity in the English-speaking world as a diminutive form of William, especially from the 19th century onwards.
Variants & Derivatives
William, Will, Billy, Willie
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, the name Bill is often seen as friendly and approachable, though it is less common as a given name for younger generations.
Famous People
Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, Bill Murray
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 4,688 peak births in 1947
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Oklahoma
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 113th of 7545 | 24,281 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 66th of 6773 | 60,290 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 116th of 7552 | 57,611 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 269th of 10718 | 12,583 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 802nd of 16616 | 2,414 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1678th of 24088 | 1,284 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3337th of 23106 | 409 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2221st of 9107 | 275 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2093rd of 9204 | 299 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 5557th of 12526 | 91 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 9990th of 19264 | 46 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 27321st of 27321 | 5 |