For many more names, please return to Edgar's Main Page.


Bill


Gender: Masculine
Language
: English
Etymology:
Bill 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). Bill 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.

Alternates: Billy, 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 Bill:
Popularity (for newborns)
:
In the United States...
1900-1910: 255th most popular.
1910-1920: 191st most popular.
1920-1930: 91st most popular.
1930-1940: 66th most popular.
1940-1950: 81st most popular.
1950-1960: 136th most popular.
1960-1970: 137th most popular.
1970-1980: 342nd most popular.
1980-1990: 663rd most popular.
1990-2000: 962nd most popular.
1990: 999th most popular.
1991: 937th most popular.
1992: 907th most popular.
1993: 861st most popular.
1994: N/A


Copyright © 2001-04 Edgar’s Name Pages