William: how popular and famous is this name?

Curious to know how many people were given the name William in 2022 in the USA and how popular was William in the past? In this page you will discover the popularity rank of the name William over the years and how many boys were named William in the past 124 years. Also you will find a list of famous people and celebrities named William across different areas such as Entertainment (Actors, Directors, Singers), Sports, Business, Literature, Politics, Science, Arts, Technology and Journalism.

How popular is the name William?

According to the 2022 US Census Data, the name William holds the 6th position in popularity among boy names. This means that out of 45946 names, William is ranked as the 6th most popular. In 2022, a total of 11282 baby boys in the USA were named William.

📋 When was the name William most popular and famous in the USA?

According to the US Census records and data, the name William reached its peak popularity in the United States in 1920. During that year, William ranked #3 out of 45946 names. It is noteworthy that William has consistently performed well, making it to the top 10 most popular names chart 86 times and the top 100 most popular names chart 123 times since 1900.

📋 When was the name William least popular in the USA?

According to the US Census records and data, the name William was at its least popular and relatively rare in the United States in 1997. During that year, William ranked #28 in popularity, indicating that out of 45946 names, only 20019 boys were given the name William.

📋 When were there more babies named William in the USA?

Since 1900, the year with the highest number of babies named William was 1947.

📋 When were there fewer babies named William in the USA?

Since 1900, the year with the fewest babies named William was 1901.

📋 Is William predominantly a boy or girl name ?

William is predominantly a boy name, with 99.6% of Williams being boys and 0.4% of Williams being girls.

📋 How many Williams have there been in the USA?

From 1900 to 2022, there have been 4025630 people named William in the USA, comprising 4010362 boys and 15268 girls.

📋 When was William first recorded as a name in the USA?

William was first recorded as a boy's name in 1900 and as a girl's name in 1900.

📋 When did the usage of the name William's experience the most significant increase over the past 124 years?

William's saw its most substantial increase in 1912 when 19704 babies were named William, marking an 85% increase compared to the previous year.

📋 When did the usage of the name William experience the most significant decrease over the past 124 years?

William's usage decreased the most in 1901 when 6022 babies were named William, reflecting a --30% decrease compared to the previous year.

Famous Williams

Here's the list of individuals named William who have gained notable recognition or achieved prominence in various fields. These individuals might have made significant contributions in areas like Entertainment, Sports, Business, History, Literature, Politics, Science, Arts and Technology.

🎉 Famous Williams in Entertainment

People named William who became popular in the entertainment industry as they have excelled in various facets of entertainment, including acting, directing, music, and other creative pursuits.

🎭 What famous actors are named William?

Here's a list of famous actors named William and the movies they have starred in:

William Holden
William Holden
  • Born: April 17, 1918
  • Died: November 12, 1981
  • Birth sign: Aries
  • No. of movies: 66

William Holden was a prominent American actor who won an Academy Award and starred in iconic films like 'Sunset Boulevard' and 'The Bridge on the River Kwai'.

Famous for: Rachel and the Stranger, Golden Boy, The Towering Inferno, The Horse Soldiers

William Shatner
William Shatner
  • Born: March 22, 1931
  • Age: 94
  • Birth sign: Aries
  • No. of movies: 32

Iconic Canadian-American actor best known for his legendary role as Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek, spanning television and film for over three decades.

Famous for: Space Command, A Christmas Horror Story, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, White Comanche

William H. Macy
William H. Macy
  • Born: March 14, 1950
  • Age: 75
  • Birth sign: Pisces
  • No. of movies: 19

William H. Macy is an acclaimed American actor known for his distinctive performances in critically acclaimed films like Fargo and Boogie Nights, often portraying complex, everyman characters.

Famous for: Jurassic Park III, The Lincoln Lawyer, Dial a Prayer, Panic

🎬 What famous directors are named William ?

Here's a list of famous directors named William and the movies they have directed:

William Wellman Jr.
William Wellman Jr.
    • No. of movies: 74

    Movie actor.

    Famous for: The Call of the Wild, Story of G.I. Joe, Island in the Sky, Roxie Hart

    William Friedkin
    William Friedkin
    • Born: August 29, 1935
    • Age: 89
    • Birth sign: Virgo
    • No. of movies: 24

    Renowned American film director famous for Oscar-winning 'The French Connection' and critically acclaimed thrillers like 'Cruising' and 'To Live and Die in L.A.

    Famous for: The Night They Raided Minsky's, Cruising, To Live and Die in L.A., Sorcerer

    William Monahan
    William Monahan
    • Born: November 3, 1960
    • Age: 64
    • Birth sign: Scorpio
    • No. of movies: 4

    Oscar-winning screenwriter known for his work on 'The Departed', 'Kingdom of Heaven', and 'Body of Lies', who also published novels under his own name and a pseudonym.

    Famous for: Mojave, London Boulevard, London Boulevard, Mojave

    🏆 Famous Williams in Sports

    Here's a list of individuals named William who have achieved notable recognition and made significant contributions within the realm of Sports. These celebrities have excelled in various sports, whether as athletes, coaches, or influential figures in sports administration:

    William Perry
    William Perry
    • Born: December 16, 1962
    • Age: 62
    • Birth sign: Sagittarius

    NFL legendary defensive lineman nicknamed 'The Refrigerator', famous for his exceptional size and unique playing style during the 1980s Chicago Bears era.

    💼 Famous Williams in Business

    Here's a list of individuals named William who have gained significant recognition and made substantial contributions within the realm of business and entrepreneurship. These business celebrities have played pivotal roles in shaping industries, founding successful companies, and demonstrating exceptional leadership or innovation in their respective fields:

    William Gates
    William Gates
    • Born: December 28, 1971
    • Age: 53
    • Birth sign: Capricorn

    Co-founder of Microsoft, one of the world's most influential technology entrepreneurs and philanthropists who revolutionized personal computing and global software development.

    📜 Famous Williams in History

    Here's a list of celebrities named William who have left a lasting impact on various aspects of human history:

    William Wegman
    William Wegman
    • Born: February 12, 1943
    • Age: 82
    • Birth sign: Aquarius

    Renowned American photographer famous for his whimsical and artistic photographs of Weimaraner dogs, transforming pet photography into a unique art form that blends humor, creativity, and visual storytelling.

    William Taft
    William Taft
    • Born: September 15, 1857
    • Died: March 8, 1930
    • Birth sign: Virgo

    American politician and us.

    William Shakespeare
    William Shakespeare
    • Born: April 23, 1564
    • Died: April 23, 1616
    • Birth sign: Taurus

    British dramatist and poet, he is widely regarded as one of the best in the english language.

    William Kidd
    William Kidd
    • Born: January 22, 1645
    • Died: May 23, 1701
    • Birth sign: Aquarius

    Infamous pirate known for his alleged buried treasure.

    📚 Famous Williams in Literature

    Here' a list of famous people named William who made notable contributions within the field of literature, including authors, poets, playwrights, or scholars known for their literary works, critical writings, or influence in the literary world:

    William Goldman
    William Goldman
    • Born: August 12, 1931
    • Died: November 16, 2018
    • Birth sign: Leo

    Renowned screenwriter and novelist who won Academy Awards for 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' and 'All the President's Men'.

    William Styron
    William Styron
    • Born: June 11, 1925
    • Died: November 1, 2006
    • Birth sign: Gemini

    Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist known for exploring complex psychological themes in works like 'Sophie's Choice' and 'The Confessions of Nat Turner'.

    Famous for: Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness, Set This House on Fire, Sophie's Choice, The Confessions of Nat Turner

    William Gibson
    William Gibson
    • Born: March 17, 1948
    • Age: 77
    • Birth sign: Pisces

    Same as William Gibson (ID 971356).

    Famous for: Spook Country, A Mass For The Dead, Pattern Recognition, Zero History

    William Saroyan
    William Saroyan
    • Born: August 31, 1908
    • Died: May 18, 1981
    • Birth sign: Virgo

    William Saroyan was a prominent Armenian-American writer known for his poignant short stories and plays that captured the immigrant experience.

    Famous for: The Human Comedy, The Human Comedy, The Time of Your Life (Modern Plays), The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze (New Directions Classic)

    🏛️ Famous Williams in Politics

    Here's a list famous people named William who have held significant political positions, played influential roles in government, advocated for specific causes or reforms, or had a lasting impact on political discourse or policy-making:

    William Whitelaw
    William Whitelaw
    • Born: June 28, 1918
    • Birth sign: Cancer

    Prominent British Conservative politician who served as Deputy Prime Minister under Margaret Thatcher from 1979 to 1988, and was a key figure in UK politics during the 1980s.

    William Cohen
    William Cohen
    • Born: August 28, 1940
    • Age: 84
    • Birth sign: Virgo

    Prominent American politician who served as the 20th United States Secretary of Defense, representing significant leadership in national defense and government.

    William Milliken
    William Milliken
    • Born: March 26, 1922
    • Birth sign: Aries

    Prominent American politician who served as the 44th Governor of Michigan, known for his moderate Republican leadership.

    William McMahon
    William McMahon
    • Born: February 23, 1908
    • Died: March 31, 1988
    • Birth sign: Pisces

    William McMahon was an Australian politician who served as the 20th Prime Minister of Australia from 1971 to 1972.

    🔬 Famous Williams in Science

    Here's a list of individuals named William who have made significant contributions and gained recognition in the field of science. Icluding scientists, researchers, inventors, or scholars known for their groundbreaking discoveries, advancements in scientific knowledge, or influential contributions to various scientific disciplines:

    William Herschel
    William Herschel
    • Born: November 15, 1738
    • Died: August 25, 1822
    • Birth sign: Scorpio

    German musician and astronomer.

    William Ramsay
    William Ramsay
    • Born: October 2, 1852
    • Died: July 23, 1916
    • Birth sign: Libra

    Scottish chemist who discovered noble gases.

    William Crookes
    William Crookes
    • Born: June 17, 1832
    • Died: April 4, 1919
    • Birth sign: Gemini

    British scientist, chemist and doctor who was the leading authority on industrial uses of chemical chemistry.

    William Shockley
    William Shockley
    • Born: February 13, 1910
    • Died: August 12, 1989
    • Birth sign: Aquarius

    English-american physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (d. 1989).

    🎨 Famous Williams in Arts

    Here's a list of of individuals named William who have gained recognition within the realm of arts and creative expression, including artists, musicians, actors, directors, or influential figures known for their artistic talents, contributions to cultural movements, or their impact on the arts:

    William Klein
    William Klein
    • Born: April 19, 1928
    • Age: 97
    • Birth sign: Aries

    Renowned American photographer and filmmaker who revolutionized street photography with his innovative and dynamic visual style, significantly influencing modern photographic techniques.

    William Goldsmith
    William Goldsmith
    • Born: July 4, 1972
    • Age: 53
    • Birth sign: Cancer

    Versatile American drummer who played with notable bands like Sunny Day Real Estate, Foo Fighters, and The Fire Theft.

    William Burroughs
    William Burroughs
    • Born: January 28, 1857
    • Birth sign: Aquarius

    American businessman burroughs corporation was founded in 1898 by burroughs corporation.

    William Morris
    William Morris
    • Born: March 25, 1834
    • Died: August 22, 1963
    • Birth sign: Aries

    1st viscount nuffield, english businessman and philanthropist, founded morris motors (b. 1877).

    💻 Famous Williams in Technology

    Here'a list of individuals named William who made substantial contributions within the field of technology, These Williams might be entrepreneurs, innovators, engineers, or industry leaders known for their advancements, creations, or influence in technological development:

    William Hewlett
    William Hewlett
    • Born: May 20, 1913
    • Died: January 12, 2001
    • Birth sign: Taurus

    Co-founder of Hewlett-Packard (HP), a pioneering technology company that revolutionized computing and electronics.

    William Shockley
    William Shockley
    • Born: February 13, 1910
    • Died: August 12, 1989
    • Birth sign: Aquarius

    Co-inventor of the transistor, a groundbreaking electronic component that revolutionized modern computing and electronics.

    📰 Famous Williams in Journalism

    Here's a list of celebrities named William who have gained recognition within the field of journalism. These Williams might be journalists, editors, reporters, or media personalities known for their impactful reporting, investigative work, commentary, or influence in the world of media and news dissemination:

    William Safire
    William Safire
    • Born: December 17, 1929
    • Died: September 27, 2009
    • Birth sign: Sagittarius

    Pulitzer Prize-winning political columnist for The New York Times, renowned for his sharp political commentary and work as a speechwriter for President Nixon.

    William Allen White
    William Allen White
    • Born: February 10, 1868
    • Died: January 29, 1944
    • Birth sign: Aquarius

    American newspaper editor and author known for his editorial writing.

    Interesting facts about the name William

    📕 What is the meaning and origin of the name William?

    William means will helmet, protection

    📕 What are name variants for the name William?

    William's variants and other similar names include: Bill, Billie, Billy, Bo, Guillermo, Liam, Wiley, Wilkie, Will, Williamson, Willie, Willis, Wilmer, Wilson, Bille, Guglielmo, Guillaume, Vilhelm, Villem, Wilek, Wilhelm, Wilhelmus, Wilkes, Wilkinson, Willem, Willhelmus, Willi, Williams, Willkie, Wills, Willson, Willy, Wilmot, Wilmott, Wim

    📕 How to pronounce William?

    William' pronunciation is \wi(l)-liam\

    📕 What are other popular names that start with W?

    Other popular names that start with W include: William, Willow, Wyatt, Waylon, Weston, Wesley, Walker, Walter, Wrenley, Wren.
    Discover more names with letter W