Billy

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Billy

Gender: Masculine
Language: English
Etymology:
Billy is an English diminutive of William, the English form of a Germanic name Wilhelm, or Willahelm. Originally it meant “Resolute,” or “Will”, “Helmet” or “Protection.”

History:
Billy is a fairly modern diminutive for William. It was not present in the Middle Ages (there are no surnames based on Bill). Billy is thought to be an Irish diminutive. King William III was known as “King Billy” in Ireland, in one of the first noted instances.

Pronunciation: bill-ee.

Alternates: Bill, Billie.

Famous Bearers:
Miscellaneous:
Wild Bill Hickcok (James Butler Hickcok) (1837-1876)
American frontiersman.
Billy the Kid (William H. Bonney, Jr.) (1859-1881)
American outlaw.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.248 % named Billy
0.112 % named Bill
0.017 % named Billie

Popularity of Billy:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1910: 767th most popular.
1910-1920: 328th most popular.
1920-1930: 48th most popular.
1930-1940: 20th most popular.
1940-1950: 41st most popular.
1950-1960: 69th most popular.
1960-1970: 74th most popular.
1970-1980: 84th most popular.
1980-1990: 140th most popular.
1990: 221st most popular.
1991: 224th most popular.
1992: 234th most popular.
1993: 225th most popular.
1994: 259th most popular.
1995: 265th most popular.
1996: 287th most popular.
1997: 325th most popular.
1998: 329th most popular.
1999: 353th most popular.
2000: 393rd most popular.
2001: 384th most popular.
2002: 423rd most popular.
2003: 427th most popular.