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NamyLab

Williams

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Son of William"

Primarily a surname and patronymic from William, occasionally used as a given name, especially in honorific or family-name patterns.

Themes:patronymicsurnamewill
UniqueRare

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Williams

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#2542Ranked in 2024

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#2542

Williams was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-129

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Williams Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Williams.

10 ideas
Wilie
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Will
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wily
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will
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wie
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wy
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wo
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iams
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amsy
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wi
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Baby Name Lists That Include Williams

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Williams, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

15 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Williams mean?
Williams means "Son of William". Primarily a surname and patronymic from William, occasionally used as a given name, especially in honorific or family-na
What is the origin of Williams?
Williams is of English origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Williams?
According to the latest SSA data, Williams is currently ranked #2542 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Williams a boy name?
Williams is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Williams?
Popular nicknames for Williams include Wilie, Will, wily, will, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Williams?
There are many names similar to Williams in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginEnglish, Germanic
Syllables2
Length8 letters
US Rank#2542
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withW

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Williams

Williams has English roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our English baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Williams appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Unique Baby Names and Traditional English Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean Child Of God for Boys and Girls and Names That Mean Miracle And Blessing for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Williams pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Williams beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.