Willam: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	101	10	–	#525
1890s	78	8	-23%	#536
1900s	62	6	-21%	#822
1910s	256	26	+313%	#1,097
1920s	560	56	+119%	#793
1930s	510	51	-9%	#824
1940s	518	52	+2%	#760
1950s	549	55	+6%	#887
1960s	420	42	-23%	#939
1970s	181	18	-57%	#1,846
1980s	144	14	-20%	#2,526
1990s	12	1	-92%	#8,081
2000s	61	6	+408%	#6,072
2010s	42	4	-31%	#8,076
2020s (to 2025)	22	4	-13%	#12,250

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

101

–

#525

1890s

-23%

#536

1900s

-21%

#822

1910s

256

+313%

#1,097

1920s

560

+119%

#793

1930s

510

-9%

#824

1940s

518

+2%

#760

1950s

549

+6%

#887

1960s

420

-23%

#939

1970s

181

-57%

#1,846

1980s

144

-20%

#2,526

1990s

-92%

#8,081

2000s

+408%

#6,072

2010s

-31%

#8,076

2020s (to 2025)

-13%

#12,250

The story of Willam

Willam is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #13,798 in 2025 with 5 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 3,516 American babies have been named Willam. Its peak came in 1959, when 76 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1950s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Willam stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Willam?

The median living Willam is about 65 years old; half are between 53 and 74. An estimated 1,500 people named Willam are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Willam year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	5	#13,798
2024	6	#12,269
2023	–	–
2022	6	#12,250
2021	5	#13,968
2020	–	–
2019	–	–
2018	–	–
2017	–	–
2016	7	#10,680
2015	5	#13,943
2014	6	#12,034
2013	10	#8,076
2012	7	#10,711
2011	7	#10,725
2010	–	–
2009	5	#14,416
2008	8	#9,829
2007	–	–
2006	11	#7,400
2005	–	–
2004	8	#8,890
2003	–	–
2002	12	#6,072
2001	8	#8,310
2000	9	#7,385
1995	5	#10,281
1990	–	–
1985	12	#3,798
1980	16	#2,961
1975	18	#2,449
1970	24	#1,846
1965	32	#1,383
1960	63	#962
1955	51	#1,065
1950	39	#1,167
1945	66	#760
1940	51	#892
1935	45	#955
1930	60	#854
1925	57	#899
1920	43	#1,088
1915	32	#1,157
1910	10	#1,115
1905	–	–
1900	7	#1,158
1895	7	#973
1890	6	#991
1885	9	#696
1880	13	#525

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Willam, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Willam?

The median living Willam is about 65 years old. Half of all living Willams are between 53 and 74 years old.

How many people named Willam are alive today?

An estimated 1,500 people named Willam are alive in the United States, based on 3,516 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Willam in 2025?

Willam ranked #13,798 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 5 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Willam?

3,516 babies have been named Willam in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Willam most popular?

Willam peaked in 1959, when 76 newborns received the name.

Is Willam a boy or girl name?

Willam is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Willam rising or falling?

Willam is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Willam

Willam popularity over time

The story of Willam

How old are people named Willam?

Willam year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Willam