William Boy

Popularity: #9 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: WIL-yum //ˈwɪljəm//

Origin: Germanic; Old High German

Meaning: Germanic: resolute protector; Old High German: will- (will, desire) + helm (helmet, protection)

Historical & Cultural Background

The name William has its roots in the Germanic elements "wil" meaning "will" or "desire" and "helm" meaning "helmet" or "protection." This etymology can be traced back to the Old High German name "Willahelm," which evolved into the Old French "Guillaume" following the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The name entered the English language as William, reflecting the linguistic shifts that occurred during this period, as the Normans brought their language and culture to England, significantly influencing the English lexicon.

Historically, the name William has been borne by numerous notable figures, contributing to its prominence. One of the most significant was William the Conqueror, who became the first Norman King of England in 1066.

His reign marked a pivotal moment in English history, leading to the establishment of Norman rule and the introduction of feudalism. The name was further popularized by subsequent kings, including William II and William III, as well as saints such as Saint William of York, who lived in the 12th century.

The name's presence in historical texts, including the Domesday Book and various chronicles, underscores its importance in medieval society. Culturally, the name William has been associated with nobility and leadership, often symbolizing strength and protection due to its etymological roots.

It has been a favored name in literature and the arts, appearing in works by Shakespeare, such as "Henry V," where the character embodies the qualities of a strong leader. Additionally, diminutive forms like Will and Willy have emerged, reflecting a more personal or affectionate usage of the name.

Overall, William's enduring legacy is marked by its historical significance and cultural resonance, making it a name of considerable weight throughout the centuries.

Famous people named William

In this section, you will find notable people named William. 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 William who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named William 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.

William Shakespeare is a playwright and poet best known for Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth.

William Faulkner is a novelist best known for The Sound and the Fury, As I Lay Dying, and Light in August.

William Wordsworth is a poet best known for Lyrical Ballads, I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud, and Tintern Abbey.

William Golding is a novelist best known for Lord of the Flies, The Inheritors, and The Spire.

William Morris is a designer and writer best known for The Kelmscott Press, News from Nowhere, and The Earthly Paradise.

William Blake is a poet and artist best known for Songs of Innocence and of Experience, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, and The Book of Urizen.

William Howard Taft is a U.S. President best known for being the only person to serve as both President and Chief Justice of the United States.

William Hurt is an actor best known for Kiss of the Spider Woman, Broadcast News, and The Big Chill.

William Shatner is an actor best known for Star Trek, T.J. Hooker, and Boston Legal.

William H. Macy is an actor best known for Fargo, Shameless, and Boogie Nights.

William Gibson is an author best known for Neuromancer, Count Zero, and Mona Lisa Overdrive.

William Zinsser is an author and journalist best known for On Writing Well, Writing to Learn, and Writing About Your Life.

William Styron is a novelist best known for Sophie's Choice, The Confessions of Nat Turner, and Darkness Visible.

William S. Burroughs is an author best known for Naked Lunch, Junky, and The Ticket That Exploded.

William Blake is a poet and painter best known for The Songs of Innocence and of Experience, and The Marriage of Heaven and Hell.

Fictional characters named William

The following list of fictional characters named William 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.

William Wallace is a fictional character from the film Braveheart. He is a Scottish knight who leads his countrymen in a rebellion against English rule.

William Munny is a fictional character from the film Unforgiven. He is a retired outlaw who reluctantly returns to his violent ways for one last job.

William Riker is a fictional character from the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation. He is the first officer of the starship Enterprise-D and a key member of the crew.

William Stryker is a fictional character from the X-Men film series. He is a military officer and antagonist who seeks to eliminate mutants.

William T. Riker is a fictional character from the Star Trek franchise. He is known for his role as the first officer aboard the USS Enterprise-D and later the USS Titan.

Sibling suggestions

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

JamesHenryCharlesEdwardThomasGeorgeAlexander

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with William. 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.

LiamWalterWinstonWilburWaylonWesleyWillardWhitman

U.S. Historical Usage

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

William has ranked as high as #6 nationally, which occurred in 1947, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, California, Ohio, and Illinois.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name William 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 William 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 William.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 10,552 10,545 7
2024 10,656 10,647 9
2023 10,679 10,673 6
2022 11,363 11,356 7
2021 12,191 12,170 21
2020 12,690 12,676 14
2019 13,670 13,658 12
2018 14,658 14,646 12
2017 15,064 15,046 18
2016 15,830 15,810 20
2015 15,965 15,950 15
2014 16,874 16,851 23
2013 16,683 16,669 14
2012 16,936 16,917 19
2011 17,390 17,362 28
2010 17,095 17,072 23
2009 17,952 17,937 15
2008 18,431 18,403 28
2007 18,924 18,898 26
2006 18,983 18,965 18
2005 19,088 19,060 28
2004 20,348 20,237 111
2003 20,032 20,000 32
2002 20,170 20,136 34
2001 20,134 20,110 24
2000 20,707 20,669 38
1999 20,744 20,718 26
1998 20,872 20,836 36
1997 20,046 20,020 26
1996 20,587 20,546 41
1995 20,206 20,160 46
1994 21,537 21,492 45
1993 22,260 22,218 42
1992 23,126 23,066 60
1991 23,916 23,860 56
1990 24,967 24,906 61
1989 24,767 24,673 94
1988 24,289 24,126 163
1987 24,371 24,202 169
1986 24,498 24,333 165
1985 24,789 24,606 183
1984 25,058 24,900 158
1983 25,583 25,396 187
1982 25,782 25,604 178
1981 24,969 24,798 171
1980 25,855 25,639 216
1979 24,867 24,676 191
1978 24,356 24,170 186
1977 24,945 24,758 187
1976 24,628 24,428 200
1975 25,724 25,561 163
1974 27,149 26,980 169
1973 28,181 28,018 163
1972 30,703 30,510 193
1971 35,614 35,413 201
1970 39,092 38,887 205
1969 37,806 37,607 199
1968 37,119 36,927 192
1967 37,800 37,615 185
1966 38,417 38,237 180
1965 40,268 40,111 157
1964 44,380 44,224 156
1963 44,634 44,453 181
1962 45,028 44,853 175
1961 48,249 48,045 204
1960 49,526 49,361 165
1959 51,541 51,386 155
1958 54,414 54,254 160
1957 57,020 56,852 168
1956 59,145 58,991 154
1955 60,106 59,990 116
1954 61,553 61,426 127
1953 61,960 61,829 131
1952 63,184 63,039 145
1951 62,889 62,781 108
1950 60,805 60,680 125
1949 61,637 61,506 131
1948 62,129 61,972 157
1947 67,156 67,002 154
1946 60,191 60,034 157
1945 50,360 50,218 142
1944 52,511 52,375 136
1943 56,072 55,904 168
1942 55,060 54,890 170
1941 47,938 47,798 140
1940 44,931 44,779 152
1939 42,223 42,071 152
1938 42,571 42,433 138
1937 40,889 40,725 164
1936 39,552 39,398 154
1935 40,367 40,204 163
1934 40,350 40,175 175
1933 39,244 39,049 195
1932 42,359 42,124 235
1931 43,518 43,280 238
1930 47,560 47,271 289
1929 48,152 47,815 337
1928 49,466 49,118 348
1927 51,797 51,476 321
1926 52,225 51,922 303
1925 53,599 53,310 289
1924 53,751 53,506 245
1923 52,361 52,136 225
1922 51,305 51,111 194
1921 52,051 51,862 189
1920 50,350 50,146 204
1919 44,144 43,969 175
1918 45,463 45,291 172
1917 42,587 42,422 165
1916 40,554 40,418 136
1915 38,692 38,563 129
1914 29,850 29,753 97
1913 23,632 23,538 94
1912 19,704 19,626 78
1911 10,643 10,593 50
1910 8,881 8,844 37
1909 7,948 7,913 35
1908 7,574 7,529 45
1907 6,933 6,904 29
1906 6,594 6,566 28
1905 6,523 6,495 28
1904 6,441 6,416 25
1903 6,346 6,311 35
1902 6,642 6,617 25
1901 6,022 5,990 32
1900 8,623 8,579 44
1899 6,109 6,086 23
1898 7,441 7,400 41
1897 7,230 7,198 32
1896 7,791 7,747 44
1895 7,317 7,277 40
1894 7,308 7,274 34
1893 7,255 7,223 32
1892 7,826 7,782 44
1891 6,813 6,763 50
1890 7,528 7,494 34
1889 7,818 7,772 46
1888 8,747 8,705 42
1887 7,514 7,470 44
1886 8,287 8,252 35
1885 8,077 8,044 33
1884 8,931 8,897 34
1883 8,427 8,387 40
1882 9,329 9,298 31
1881 8,554 8,524 30
1880 9,562 9,532 30

Top States for William (2024)

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
TX 930
9%
CA 790
7%
NC 501
5%
NY 475
4%
GA 462
4%
FL 456
4%
TN 421
4%
VA 397
4%
OH 371
4%
IL 357
3%
PA 333
3%
AL 314
3%
SC 274
3%
MI 272
3%
MA 258
2%
WA 253
2%
MO 249
2%
IN 235
2%
UT 218
2%
NJ 214
2%
KY 196
2%
MN 195
2%
WI 194
2%
CO 191
2%
LA 172
2%
AZ 168
2%
MD 168
2%
MS 161
2%
OK 134
1%
OR 130
1%
CT 113
1%
KS 113
1%
AR 104
1%
IA 103
1%
ID 74
1%
NE 71
1%
NV 70
1%
NH 53
1%
WV 49
0%
MT 45
0%
DC 40
0%
NM 38
0%
ME 36
0%
SD 36
0%
DE 29
0%
ND 28
0%
RI 26
0%
HI 23
0%
WY 22
0%
AK 22
0%
VT 12
0%