Boy · 3322nd of 16,616
Wiliam
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
1,243
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1982
Peak Popularity Year
28
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Wiliam 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 William originates from Old Germanic, meaning 'strong-willed warrior'. It evolved through various historical forms, reflecting its journey across languages. Though it has no biblical relevance, it gained significant popularity in England after the Norman Conquest due to William the Conqueror. Today, it is perceived positively and is associated with strength and nobility, with several notable figures carrying the name.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈwɪljəm/
Origin
Old Germanic
Etymology
The name William is derived from the Old High German name 'Willahelm', which is composed of the elements 'willa' meaning 'will' or 'desire' and 'helm' meaning 'helmet' or 'protection'.
Meaning
Strong-willed warrior
Language Evolution
Willahelm (Old High German), Guillaume (Old French), Wilhelm (German), William (Middle English)
Historical Usage
William gained popularity in England following the Norman Conquest in 1066, largely due to the influence of William the Conqueror.
Variants & Derivatives
Will, Bill, Liam, Wilhelm, Guillaume
Modern Popularity & Image
William remains a widely used name in many English-speaking countries and is often associated with royalty and nobility, giving it a positive and strong image.
Famous People
William Shakespeare, William Wordsworth, William the Conqueror, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, William Faulkner
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 28 peak births in 1982
Geographic Spread
Popular across 3 US states, with strongest presence in California
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 15 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 7 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3003rd of 7545 | 122 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2935th of 6773 | 123 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2692nd of 7552 | 177 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2581st of 10718 | 230 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3322nd of 16616 | 266 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 6076th of 24088 | 195 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 7476th of 23106 | 125 |