Billy
Billy is a diminutive of William, derived from the Germanic elements meaning 'will' and 'helmet' or 'protection.' It has evolved into a standalone name with a friendly, approachable character.
Current Popularity
#1068 for boys
in the United States (2025)
Popularity over time
Good to Know
- •Works well as both a formal name and nickname
- •Easy to spell and pronounce across most languages
- •Has a timeless, down-to-earth quality that ages well
- •Common in English-speaking countries with strong recognition
Similar Names
Famous People
Billy Joel
Singer-songwriter and pianist
Billy Crystal
Actor and comedian
Billy Graham
Evangelist and spiritual leader
Billy Wilder
Film director and screenwriter
Statistics
384,233
Total births since 1880
1934
Peak year
Discovery
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