Willem
Every Willem since 1916 — 2,840 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Willem
Willem is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,601 in 2025 with 51 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1916, 2,840 American babies have been named Willem. Its peak came in 2003, when 122 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
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 Willem stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Willem year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 51 | #2,601 |
| 2024 | 50 | #2,671 |
| 2023 | 51 | #2,608 |
| 2022 | 54 | #2,561 |
| 2021 | 75 | #1,997 |
| 2020 | 60 | #2,289 |
| 2019 | 76 | #1,951 |
| 2018 | 62 | #2,229 |
| 2017 | 56 | #2,343 |
| 2016 | 70 | #2,045 |
| 2015 | 67 | #2,108 |
| 2014 | 87 | #1,750 |
| 2013 | 86 | #1,724 |
| 2012 | 82 | #1,814 |
| 2011 | 74 | #1,902 |
| 2010 | 83 | #1,792 |
| 2009 | 71 | #1,989 |
| 2008 | 98 | #1,612 |
| 2007 | 105 | #1,515 |
| 2006 | 103 | #1,490 |
| 2005 | 107 | #1,401 |
| 2004 | 112 | #1,326 |
| 2003 | 122 | #1,208 |
| 2002 | 109 | #1,255 |
| 2001 | 79 | #1,542 |
| 2000 | 96 | #1,340 |
| 1995 | 35 | #2,294 |
| 1990 | 27 | #2,552 |
| 1985 | 8 | #5,133 |
| 1980 | 8 | #4,927 |
| 1975 | 12 | #3,240 |
| 1970 | 6 | #4,717 |
| 1965 | 5 | #4,421 |
| 1960 | 8 | #3,331 |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Willem
- Willem Barentsz Explorer · 1550–1597
- Willem Einthoven Physician · 1860–1927
- Willem Dafoe Actor · b. 1955
- Willem de Kooning Painter · 1904–1997
- Willem Janszoon Explorer · 1570–1631
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Willem in 2025?
Willem ranked #2,601 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 51 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Willem?
2,840 babies have been named Willem in the United States since 1916, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Willem most popular?
Willem peaked in 2003, when 122 newborns received the name.
Is Willem a boy or girl name?
Willem is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Willem rising or falling?
Willem is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Willem?
Well-known people named Willem include Willem Barentsz (explorer), Willem Einthoven (physician), Willem Dafoe (actor).