William is a popular choice in the UK, ranked #27 in 2024. There's a good chance they'll share their name with at least one classmate throughout school.
Origin & Meaning
Germanic — Resolute protector
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UK Rank 2024
#27
US Rank #10
About the Name William
William is holding steady in the rankings at #27. It reached its peak of #7 in 2006 and has maintained consistent levels since — the hallmark of a name with lasting rather than trend-driven appeal. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996. It has spent 28 of the last 29 years inside the UK top 100 — a mark of enduring mainstream appeal.
The name carries Germanic roots, where it means "Resolute protector". Names with strong etymological stories tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles.
William is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
It ranks similarly in the US at #10, suggesting broad transatlantic appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name William
Unlikely. With around 1,517 UK babies named William per year, your child will almost certainly be the only William in his class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
William has held a stable position around #27 for several years. It reached its recorded peak of #7 in 2006 and has maintained consistent levels since — suggesting lasting rather than trend-driven appeal.
The name William has Germanic origins and means "Resolute protector". Names with clear etymological roots tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles and give children a story to tell about their name.
Notable people named William include: William, Prince of Wales — William, Prince of Wales, is the heir apparent to the British throne.; William Godwin (biography) — William Godwin is a biography of the philosopher William Godwin written by Peter Marshall and first published in 1984 by Yale University Press.; William III of England — William III and II, also known as William of Orange, was the sovereign Prince of Orange from birth, Stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and....
Yes — William is very popular in the United States, ranked #10 in 2024. It's a transatlantic favourite used widely on both sides of the Atlantic.
1,517
UK babies named William (2024)
~0.0
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.8
In a school of 600
↓ 7 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name William
Likely around 1 other William in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to William
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
William IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and King of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death in 1837. The third son of George III, William succeeded his elder brother George IV, becoming the last king and penultimate monarch of the United Kingdom's House of Hanover.
William McKinley was the 25th president of the United States, serving from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. A member of the Republican Party, he led a realignment that made Republicans largely dominant in the industrial states and nationwide for decades.
William the Conqueror, sometimes called William the Bastard, was the first Norman king of England (as William I), reigning from 1066 until his death. A descendant of Rollo, he was Duke of Normandy (as William II) from 1035 onward.
William Almack was an English valet, merchant and tavern owner, who became the founder of fashionable clubs and assembly-rooms. His Almack's Coffee House was bought in 1774 and became the gentlemen's club, Brooks's.
William III and II, also known as William of Orange, was the sovereign Prince of Orange from birth, Stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel in the Dutch Republic from 1672, and King of England, Ireland, and Scotland from 1689 until his death in 1702. He ruled England, Scotland, and Ireland with his wife, Queen Mary II, and their joint reign is known as that of William and Mary.
Sir William Wallace (Scottish Gaelic: Uilleam Uallas, pronounced [ˈɯʎam ˈuəl̪ˠəs̪]; Norman French: William le Waleys; c. 1270 – 23 August 1305) was a Scottish knight who became one of the main leaders during the First War of Scottish Independence.
William Henry Harrison was the 9th president of the United States, from March to April 1841. Harrison served the least amount of time of any president at 31 days.
William Howard Taft was the 27th president of the United States from 1909 to 1913 and the tenth chief justice of the United States from 1921 to 1930. He is the only person to have held both offices.