Data-driven popularity statistics, SSA rankings, and historical trends for the name William.
National Rank (2025)
#9
All-Time Peak Rank
#2 (1880)
Total U.S. Births
4,199,696
Unisex Distribution99.6% Boy / 0.4% GirlBalance: Overwhelmingly Male
💡 The William Vibe: This choice is considered a Perennial Favorite. A historic staple that has maintained dominant national popularity for over half a century.
📖 The Story Behind William
According to SSA data, William achieved its highest historical rank of #2 in 1880. Its highest annual registration volume occurred in 1947 with 67,002 babies. Between 2015 and 2025, modern registrations have decreased by 33.9%. Overall, the name has maintained a ranked presence for 146 consecutive years.
📊 Factual Timeline & Current Trajectory (1880 – 2025)
Watch how the absolute registration footprint of the name William scaled historically over the last century:
5-Year Trajectory Velocity
Declining
10-Year Decadal Shift Change
-33.9% Decline
18801920196020002025
📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility
Busiest Year on Record67,002Births in 1947
Years in Top 100
146yrs
Registry Appearance Streak
146Years
Historical VolatilityVery Stable
Decade-by-Decade Registration Volumes
1880s:84,881
1890s:72,244
1900s:69,320
1910s:303,017
1920s:512,402
1930s:416,730
1940s:556,478
1950s:591,228
1960s:421,433
1970s:283,401
1980s:248,277
1990s:217,822
2000s:194,415
2010s:159,981
2020s:68,067
📐 Sound & Spelling Structure
Phonetic SyllablesWil-liam
Letter Count7 Letters
Spelling ComplexityModerate
Linguistic Profile Narrative: Longer than 54.1% of SSA names. Starts with W, a letter used by only 1.1% of SSA names.
🛠️ Rhythm & Cadence Engine
Need a middle name or matching choice that pairs cleanly with William? Enter a surname or older sibling name below to test structural meter and syllable cohesion:
BabyNameAnalytics