William

Boys

Best rank #6 (2018) · ranked in 18 years

Over 18 tracked years from 2008 to 2025, William held a spot in the rankings.

It eased from #11 in 2008 to #16 in 2025.

In the most recent data (2025) it ranks #16.

14,658 newborns received the name William in 2018, its peak year.

William was most popular around 2018, making it characteristic of the 2010s generation.

Rank by year

11020200820172025
  1. 20251610,552
  2. 20241710,656
  3. 20231710,679
  4. 20221211,363
  5. 20211212,191
  6. 20201112,690
  7. 2019813,670
  8. 2018614,658
  9. 2017815,064
  10. 2016715,830
  11. 2015915,965
  12. 2014916,874
  13. 2013916,683
  14. 20121016,936
  15. 2011717,390
  16. 2010817,095
  17. 2009717,952
  18. 20081118,431

Similar names

Willow, Wyatt, Walker stand out as close matches to William, tracking a similar sound or popularity window. See how their rankings compare below.

Origin & meaning

William is a masculine name of Germanic origin, from the Proto-Germanic compound *Wiljahelmaz, combining wiljô (will, desire) and helmaz (helmet, protection). The name means 'resolute protector' and entered English via the Anglo-Norman form after the Norman Conquest of 1066, quickly becoming one of the most common names in England.

Notable people named William

  • William Shakespeare - English playwright and poet
  • Prince William - Prince of Wales, heir to the British throne
  • William Howard Taft - 27th President of the United States

William has ranked among the most enduring names in the English-speaking world for nearly a thousand years, carried by kings, presidents, and cultural figures alike. In the United States it remains a perennial top-100 name, valued for its classic, formal sound.

Where William is most popular

In 2025, William was recorded in 51 of the 51 US jurisdictions the SSA reports on, with 10,545 births nationwide.

The largest share came from Texas at 892 births, 8.5% of the national total, where it ranked #34 that year.

By census region the name skews South, which accounts for 44.7% of William births, against 14.7% Northeast, 21.9% Midwest, 18.6% West.

State rankings spread more than the national figure suggests: William placed as high as #2 in Alabama and as low as #78 in Nevada.

Top states, 2025

  1. 1Texas892 · #34 there
  2. 2California717 · #74 there
  3. 3North Carolina500 · #4 there
  4. 4Florida485 · #41 there
  5. 5Georgia475 · #3 there

Share by census region

  • Northeast14.7%
  • Midwest21.9%
  • South44.7%
  • West18.6%

Shares are of this name's national total, not of each state's births. SSA withholds any name under 5 occurrences per state and year. Browse all states

Frequently asked questions

Is William a popular name?
William reached a best rank of #6 in 2018 and has charted in 18 years.
Where does William rank now?
In the most recent data (2025), William ranks #16.
Is William a boy or girl name?
It is recorded primarily as a boys' name.
When was William most popular?
William peaked around 2018.

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Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) - Popular Baby Names (national)