How Many People Are Named William?
Complete statistics for the name William: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
William is a Germanic classic meaning 'resolute protector,' and it's one of the most enduring names in American history. Around 2,199,548 people named William are living in the US today, which works out to roughly 1 in 150 Americans. It's spent 144 years in the US top 10, which is a stat that's hard to wrap your head around.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life path number 7 is traditionally linked to deep thinking, inner wisdom, and a search for truth. Sevens are often seen as analytical and introspective souls who value knowledge over material success.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 73All 4,195,464 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1947Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 William Through the Generations
William has a genuinely remarkable story in the data. With 4,195,464 all-time US births but only 2,199,548 living today, roughly half of everyone ever named William has already passed, which tells you just how far back this name's dominance stretches. Its peak came in 1947, when 67,155 babies were named William in a single year, riding the postwar baby boom to its highest point. The age distribution is striking: 69% of living Williams are over 60, and only 474,040 are under 30. The average age sits at 73, making this one of the older-skewing names you'll find. It's been declining for decades, slowly fading from the top of the charts, though it never fully disappears. With 144 years inside the US top 10, William isn't a flash-in-the-pan classic. It's more like a permanent fixture that's finally, quietly stepping back.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named William
William is a masculine given name of Germanic origin. It became popular in England after the Norman conquest in 1066, and remained so throughout the Middle Ages and into the modern era. It is sometimes abbreviated "Wm." Shortened familiar versions in English include Will or Wil, Wills, Willy or Willie, Bill, Billie and Billy.…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing William's Germanic roots
📄 About the Name William
How Many People Have the Name William?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 11,890 people in the United States currently share the name William. That works out to roughly 1 in every 27,876 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is William a Common or Rare Name?
William is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name William Mean?
William means "resolute protector" and comes from Germanic origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 7.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of William in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.
When Was William Most Popular?
The name William reached peak popularity in 1947, with 67,155 babies registered that year. Current trend: Declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named William?
Approximately 11,890 people named William live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 11,890. That works out to roughly 1 in 27,876 Americans.
Is William a rare name?
William is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 27,876 Americans has this name.
What does the name William mean?
William means "resolute protector" and comes from Germanic origins.
Is William more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 100% of people named William are male and 0% are female.
When was William most popular?
William peaked in 1947 with 67,155 births that year. Current trend: Declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.