Bill Boy

Popularity: #920 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: BIL /bɪl/

Origin: English; Germanic

Meaning: English: Resolute protector; Germanic: Strong-willed

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Bill is derived from the Old High German name "Bili," which is a diminutive form of "Wilhelm," meaning "resolute protector." The name Wilhelm itself comes from the Proto-Germanic elements "wil" (will or desire) and "helm" (helmet or protection). The transition into English occurred through the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, where the name was introduced as "William." Over time, Bill emerged as a common diminutive or informal version of William, particularly in English-speaking countries.

Historically, the name William has been borne by numerous notable figures, including William the Conqueror, who became King of England in 1066, and William Shakespeare, the renowned playwright of the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The name has also appeared in various forms in literature and religious texts, such as the King James Bible, which was published in 1611 and has had a lasting impact on the English language and culture.

The use of Bill as a familiar form gained traction in the 19th century, reflecting a broader trend of creating affectionate or informal versions of formal names. Culturally, the name Bill has been associated with traits of reliability and strength, resonating with the original meanings of its roots.

It has appeared in various cultural contexts, including literature, film, and music, often embodying the archetype of the everyman or the steadfast friend. The name's simplicity and familiarity have contributed to its enduring presence in English-speaking cultures, making it a recognizable and approachable choice.

The diminutive "Billy" is also historically relevant, often used affectionately for children or in informal contexts, further solidifying the name's cultural significance.

Famous people named Bill

In this section, you will find notable people named Bill. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Bill who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Bill who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Bill Gates is a business magnate best known for co-founding Microsoft, authoring The Road Ahead, and philanthropy through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Bill Murray is an actor and comedian best known for Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, and Lost in Translation.

Bill Cosby is a comedian and actor best known for The Cosby Show, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, and his stand-up comedy specials.

Bill O'Reilly is a television host and author best known for The O'Reilly Factor, Killing Lincoln, and Killing Patton.

Bill Paxton is an actor and director best known for Twister, Aliens, and Titanic.

Bill Maher is a comedian and television host best known for Real Time with Bill Maher, Politically Incorrect, and his stand-up specials.

Bill Withers is a singer-songwriter best known for Ain't No Sunshine, Lean on Me, and Lovely Day.

Bill Nighy is an actor best known for Love Actually, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, and About Time.

Bill Hader is an actor and comedian best known for Saturday Night Live, Barry, and Trainwreck.

Bill Skarsgård is an actor best known for It, Castle Rock, and Deadpool 2.

Fictional characters named Bill

The following list of fictional characters named Bill is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Bill S. Preston, Esq. is a fictional character from the film series Bill & Ted. He is one half of the duo known for their time-traveling adventures and rock music aspirations.

Bill Cipher is a fictional character from the animated television series Gravity Falls. He is a powerful and malevolent dream demon who serves as the main antagonist of the series.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Bill, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

BobBenBradBillieBrettBlake

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Bill. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

WillWaltBlaineBeauBrockBennettBradleyBlair

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Bill was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Bill has ranked as high as #156 nationally, which occurred in 1947, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Illinois, Ohio, and Oklahoma.

In the past 5 years the name Bill has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Bill is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Bill was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Bill.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 18 18 0
2024 22 22 0
2023 22 22 0
2022 26 26 0
2021 23 23 0
2020 29 29 0
2019 28 28 0
2018 48 48 0
2017 42 42 0
2016 39 39 0
2015 33 33 0
2014 47 47 0
2013 50 50 0
2012 41 41 0
2011 42 42 0
2010 53 53 0
2009 58 58 0
2008 73 73 0
2007 85 85 0
2006 85 85 0
2005 86 86 0
2004 89 89 0
2003 81 81 0
2002 74 74 0
2001 100 100 0
2000 114 114 0
1999 100 100 0
1998 100 100 0
1997 103 103 0
1996 116 116 0
1995 101 101 0
1994 110 110 0
1993 145 145 0
1992 138 138 0
1991 128 128 0
1990 112 112 0
1989 129 129 0
1988 145 145 0
1987 137 137 0
1986 136 131 5
1985 176 176 0
1984 166 166 0
1983 205 205 0
1982 244 244 0
1981 231 231 0
1980 251 251 0
1979 273 273 0
1978 267 267 0
1977 324 324 0
1976 364 364 0
1975 409 409 0
1974 472 466 6
1973 525 519 6
1972 686 686 0
1971 878 878 0
1970 1,027 1,020 7
1969 1,081 1,075 6
1968 1,167 1,161 6
1967 1,282 1,275 7
1966 1,564 1,556 8
1965 2,060 2,060 0
1964 2,737 2,737 0
1963 3,202 3,193 9
1962 3,580 3,574 6
1961 4,010 4,000 10
1960 4,501 4,501 0
1959 4,602 4,596 6
1958 4,231 4,221 10
1957 3,118 3,118 0
1956 1,962 1,957 5
1955 1,656 1,656 0
1954 1,526 1,526 0
1953 1,522 1,522 0
1952 1,593 1,588 5
1951 1,653 1,653 0
1950 2,046 2,040 6
1949 2,774 2,765 9
1948 3,934 3,926 8
1947 4,688 4,681 7
1946 4,364 4,354 10
1945 3,719 3,711 8
1944 3,826 3,815 11
1943 3,997 3,990 7
1942 3,803 3,794 9
1941 3,465 3,453 12
1940 3,278 3,267 11
1939 3,170 3,161 9
1938 3,120 3,113 7
1937 3,127 3,119 8
1936 3,184 3,166 18
1935 3,294 3,282 12
1934 3,560 3,534 26
1933 3,246 3,223 23
1932 3,396 3,362 34
1931 3,243 3,218 25
1930 3,185 3,160 25
1929 2,974 2,947 27
1928 3,003 2,976 27
1927 2,891 2,863 28
1926 2,661 2,643 18
1925 2,400 2,381 19
1924 2,085 2,067 18
1923 1,851 1,833 18
1922 1,689 1,675 14
1921 1,502 1,482 20
1920 1,439 1,421 18
1919 1,207 1,196 11
1918 1,051 1,038 13
1917 907 891 16
1916 865 854 11
1915 761 746 15
1914 577 559 18
1913 477 466 11
1912 354 347 7
1911 248 243 5
1910 264 259 5
1909 210 205 5
1908 169 164 5
1907 174 174 0
1906 128 128 0
1905 147 147 0
1904 128 128 0
1903 129 129 0
1902 138 138 0
1901 104 104 0
1900 196 196 0
1899 83 83 0
1898 90 90 0
1897 84 84 0
1896 86 86 0
1895 90 90 0
1894 73 73 0
1893 71 71 0
1892 75 75 0
1891 65 65 0
1890 72 72 0
1889 61 61 0
1888 58 58 0
1887 63 63 0
1886 64 64 0
1885 66 66 0
1884 82 82 0
1883 50 50 0
1882 61 61 0
1881 42 42 0
1880 53 53 0

Top States for Bill (2022)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 7
100%