Boy · 2869th of 16,616
Willaim
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
1,597
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1987
Peak Popularity Year
34
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Willaim 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 has its roots in Old German, meaning 'resolute protector' and is composed of the elements 'will' and 'helm'. It evolved from Wilhelm in Old High German to William in Middle English and has variants like Bill and Billy. The name carries connotations of nobility and strength, gaining popularity after the Norman Conquest due to figures like William the Conqueror. It does not have biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈwɪl.jəm/
Origin
Old German
Etymology
The name William is derived from the Germanic elements 'wil' meaning 'will' or 'desire' and 'helm' meaning 'helmet' or 'protection'.
Meaning
resolute protector
Language Evolution
Wilhelm (Old High German), William (Middle English), Guillame (Old French)
Historical Usage
William gained popularity in England after the Norman Conquest in 1066, particularly due to William the Conqueror.
Variants & Derivatives
Will, Bill, Billy, Wilhelm, Guillame
Modern Popularity & Image
William remains a popular name today, often associated with nobility and strength, particularly due to its use in royal families.
Famous People
William Shakespeare, William Wordsworth, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, William Faulkner, William the Conqueror
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 34 peak births in 1987
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 | 2027th of 7545 | 249 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1992nd of 6773 | 248 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1886th of 7552 | 332 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2129th of 10718 | 311 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2869th of 16616 | 331 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 9577th of 24088 | 93 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 16359th of 23106 | 21 |