William
How to say it: WIL-yum · /ˈwɪljəm/
Resolute protector — from the Old High German Willahelm (will + helm), brought to England by the Normans.
William was the 12th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 10,545 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1880s, its births are down about 34% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #27 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #12 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 10,545 |
| Share of births | 1 in 314 |
| Peak decade | 1880s |
| Change over 10 years | −34% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #27 |
| In France, 2025 | #133 among boys’ names, 485 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Once dominant in the 1880s, William has grown rarer since. Far below its old height, it will probably ease down further.
What goes with it
Mellow and sturdy with soft strength and a travelling presence. Will remains a classic short form, and Henry stands in similar company.
Middle names that flow with William →
Nicknames
- Will
- Bill
- Billy
- Liam
Honouring a William in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called William is about 1 in 14.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Norwegian, Swedish.
In France: #133 for boys in 2025.
England and Wales: #25. Ireland: #74.
Famous people named William
- William Shakespeare (1564–1616)English playwright and poet
- William Blake (1757–1827)English poet and artist
- William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)Irish poet and playwright
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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