Boy name
William
As of 2025, William ranks #9 among American boys' names, according to Social Security records. 10,545 boys received the name that year. The ranking has held remarkably steady over the last five years. SSA records for William go back to 1880; the peak came in 1880 at #2, with 9,532 babies named that year. Geographically, it's strongest in Alabama, where it ranks #2 among boy names.
Rankings
2025 rank
#9
among boy names
Trend
Stable
last 5 years
All-time peak
#2
in 1880 (1880s)
Babies in 2025
10,545
boys named William
William popularity, 1880–2025
Where William is most popular
Share of boys born in 2025:low → highno data (< 5 births)
Strongest states: Wyoming (#3), District of Columbia (#5), Alaska (#6)
Uniqueness score
Ultra popular
6
/ 100
everywhereone of a kind
You'll meet plenty of them — a true chart-topper.
Based on how many babies per birth were named William in the most recent year of SSA data.
Similar names
Compare William:William vs. Waylon
Explore lists:Top 100 boy names 2025