Boy · 3rd of 23,106
William
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
4,205,026
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1947
Peak Popularity Year
67,155
Peak Births
Generational story
Where William 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
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 Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
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
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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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
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 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |