Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
William is of Old German origin, meaning 'resolute protector'. It evolved from 'Willahelm' through several historical forms including 'Wilhelmus' and 'Guillaume'. The name is often associated with traits of leadership and strength. It does not have biblical relevance. William gained prominence in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066 and remains a widely used name today.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈwɪljəm/
Origin
Old German
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
resolute protector
Language Evolution
Willahelm, Wilhelmus, Guillaume (French), Guglielmo (Italian), Wilhelm (German)
Historical Usage
William gained popularity in England following the Norman Conquest of 1066, largely due to the influence of William the Conqueror.
Variants & Derivatives
Will, Bill, Billy, Wil, Liam
Modern Popularity & Image
William remains a popular name in many English-speaking countries and is often associated with tradition, strength, and leadership.
Famous People
William Shakespeare, William Wordsworth, William the Conqueror, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, William Faulkner
📊 Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 67,155 peak births in 1947
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Delaware
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (15 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 15 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
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
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2nd of 7545 | 779,228 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4th of 6773 | 819,625 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 6th of 7552 | 1,072,636 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 8th of 10718 | 499,559 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 16th of 16616 | 378,895 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 8th of 24088 | 307,319 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3rd of 23106 | 166,038 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 498th of 9107 | 3,385 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 506th of 9204 | 3,496 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 813th of 12526 | 2,869 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 769th of 19264 | 2,987 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1343rd of 27321 | 1,819 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 4271st of 35406 | 512 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 7785th of 30306 | 171 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
0.21% 3rd/1416 |
0.15% 2nd/1379 |
0.08% 2nd/2366 |
0.26% 3rd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
0.32% 5th/1546 |
0.19% 3rd/1556 |
0.08% 2nd/2353 |
0.32% 5th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
0.31% 7th/2227 |
0.25% 6th/2430 |
0.21% 6th/2853 |
0.25% 7th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
0.48% 14th/2937 |
0.23% 8th/3483 |
0.20% 7th/3518 |
0.30% 12th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
0.68% 25th/3685 |
0.42% 19th/4475 |
0.15% 8th/5194 |
0.41% 26th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
0.24% 11th/4582 |
0.29% 15th/5164 |
0.05% 4th/7313 |
0.29% 22nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
0.13% 5th/3984 |
0.31% 14th/4487 |
0.04% 3rd/6822 |
0.22% 14th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
32.98% 467th/1416 |
25.53% 352nd/1379 |
22.27% 527th/2366 |
75.39% 861st/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
30.72% 475th/1546 |
25.00% 389th/1556 |
20.70% 487th/2353 |
60.83% 941st/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
36.19% 806th/2227 |
28.11% 683rd/2430 |
26.81% 765th/2853 |
36.40% 1010th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
25.74% 756th/2937 |
19.98% 696th/3483 |
20.64% 726th/3518 |
27.47% 1111th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
38.91% 1434th/3685 |
26.64% 1192nd/4475 |
23.37% 1214th/5194 |
26.50% 1674th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
100.00% 5164th/5164 |
42.34% 3096th/7313 |
94.43% 7047th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Delaware across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been gradually declining. From 2020-2022, usage has been too rising for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, too rising for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too rising for male in South, stalled for female in South, too rising for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been falling for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too rising for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2nd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 6th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 8th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 16th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 8th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3rd out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 498th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 506th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 813th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 769th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1343rd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4271st out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 7785th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.