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:

- 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

- Born: March 22, 1931
- Age: 93
- 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

- Born: March 13, 1950
- Age: 74
- Birth sign: Pisces
- No. of movies: 1
Versatile movie actor known for his distinctive performances in independent and mainstream films.
Famous for: Oleanna
🎬 What famous directors are named William ?
Here's a list of famous directors named William and the movies they have directed:

- 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

- 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

- Born: May 19, 1921
- Birth sign: Taurus
- No. of movies: 2
Pioneering American pediatrician who served as US Surgeon General from 1965-1969.
Famous for: Love Thy Neighbour in Australia, Robot Wars
🏆 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:
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:
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:
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.
American politician and us.
British dramatist and poet, he is widely regarded as one of the best in the english language.
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 Golding was a renowned British novelist, poet, and playwright best known for his Nobel Prize-winning novel 'Lord of the Flies'.
Famous for:
The Inheritors,
Lord of the Flies,
Lord of the Flies: Text, Notes & Criticism,
Pincher Martin
Renowned screenwriter and novelist who won Academy Awards for 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' and 'All the President's Men'.
Same as William Gibson (ID 971356).
Famous for:
Spook Country,
A Mass For The Dead,
Pattern Recognition,
Zero History
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
🏛️ 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:
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.
Prominent American politician who served as the 44th Governor of Michigan, known for his moderate Republican leadership.
Prominent American politician who served as the 20th United States Secretary of Defense, representing significant leadership in national defense and government.
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:
German musician and astronomer.
Scottish chemist who discovered noble gases.
British scientist, chemist and doctor who was the leading authority on industrial uses of chemical chemistry.
Canadian-american economist and academic, nobel prize laureate (d. 1996).
🎨 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:
Renowned American photographer and filmmaker who revolutionized street photography with his innovative and dynamic visual style, significantly influencing modern photographic techniques.
Versatile American drummer who played with notable bands like Sunny Day Real Estate, Foo Fighters, and The Fire Theft.
1st viscount nuffield, english businessman and philanthropist, founded morris motors (b. 1877).
American businessman burroughs corporation was founded in 1898 by burroughs corporation.
💻 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:
Co-founder of Hewlett-Packard (HP), a pioneering technology company that revolutionized computing and electronics.
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:
Pulitzer Prize-winning political columnist for The New York Times, renowned for his sharp political commentary and work as a speechwriter for President Nixon.
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\