Williams
Every Williams since 1880 — 6,150 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Williams
Williams is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #3,086 in 2025 with 40 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 6,150 American babies have been named Williams. Its peak came in 1950, when 86 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 Williams stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Williams year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 40 | #3,086 |
| 2024 | — | — | 53 | #2,553 |
| 2023 | — | — | 57 | #2,415 |
| 2022 | — | — | 40 | #3,095 |
| 2021 | — | — | 46 | #2,772 |
| 2020 | — | — | 37 | #3,134 |
| 2019 | — | — | 45 | #2,804 |
| 2018 | — | — | 52 | #2,504 |
| 2017 | — | — | 42 | #2,888 |
| 2016 | — | — | 36 | #3,226 |
| 2015 | — | — | 45 | #2,719 |
| 2014 | — | — | 38 | #3,036 |
| 2013 | — | — | 40 | #2,893 |
| 2012 | — | — | 47 | #2,629 |
| 2011 | — | — | 45 | #2,698 |
| 2010 | — | — | 36 | #3,179 |
| 2009 | — | — | 56 | #2,347 |
| 2008 | — | — | 68 | #2,059 |
| 2007 | — | — | 63 | #2,162 |
| 2006 | — | — | 57 | #2,247 |
| 2005 | — | — | 53 | #2,264 |
| 2004 | — | — | 52 | #2,236 |
| 2003 | — | — | 58 | #2,004 |
| 2002 | — | — | 62 | #1,849 |
| 2001 | — | — | 63 | #1,798 |
| 2000 | — | — | 48 | #2,132 |
| 1995 | — | — | 29 | #2,624 |
| 1990 | — | — | 69 | #1,352 |
| 1985 | — | — | 33 | #1,833 |
| 1980 | 5 | #12,121 | 36 | #1,653 |
| 1975 | — | — | 42 | #1,360 |
| 1970 | — | — | 39 | #1,349 |
| 1965 | — | — | 54 | #1,011 |
| 1960 | — | — | 53 | #1,070 |
| 1955 | — | — | 75 | #854 |
| 1950 | — | — | 86 | #746 |
| 1945 | — | — | 48 | #942 |
| 1940 | — | — | 73 | #717 |
| 1935 | — | — | 64 | #777 |
| 1930 | — | — | 74 | #742 |
| 1925 | — | — | 47 | #1,011 |
| 1920 | — | — | 73 | #784 |
| 1915 | — | — | 53 | #854 |
| 1910 | — | — | 15 | #821 |
| 1905 | — | — | 12 | #740 |
| 1900 | — | — | 15 | #679 |
| 1895 | — | — | 10 | #737 |
| 1890 | — | — | 10 | #666 |
| 1885 | — | — | 11 | #603 |
| 1880 | — | — | 11 | #599 |
Famous people named Williams
- Williams Velásquez Soccer player · b. 1997
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Williams in 2025?
Williams ranked #3,086 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 40 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Williams?
6,150 babies have been named Williams in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Williams most popular?
Williams peaked in 1950, when 86 newborns received the name.
Is Williams a boy or girl name?
Williams is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Williams rising or falling?
Williams is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Williams?
Well-known people named Williams include Williams Velásquez (soccer player).