William
A Germanic Name Brought Into English Through Norman French name with Australian ranking history from 2008 to 2025.
Popularity of William in Australia
2024 #10→2025 #10Steady
William ranks 10th for boys in the latest available Australian data (2025). Its best recorded rank is 3rd in 2010. Since first appearing at 5th in 2008, it has moved down 5 places overall. It held the same rank in the latest year-to-year comparison.
View yearly ranks
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #10 |
| 2024 | #10 |
| 2023 | #18 |
| 2022 | #10 |
| 2021 | #9 |
| 2020 | #13 |
| 2019 | #7 |
| 2018 | #4 |
| 2017 | #4 |
| 2016 | #4 |
| 2015 | #4 |
| 2014 | #4 |
| 2013 | #4 |
| 2012 | #8 |
| 2011 | #4 |
| 2010 | #3 |
| 2009 | #5 |
| 2008 | #5 |
Meaning
The name William is commonly linked to will or desire plus protection.
In a nutshellWilliam means “will or desire plus protection”.
Origin
William is usually described as a Germanic name brought into English through Norman French.
Origin in briefGermanic Name Brought Into English Through Norman French
Quick answers
Questions about William
Is William a popular name in Australia?
Yes. William ranked #10 for baby boys in Australia in 2025, placing it inside the current top 10.
Is William becoming more popular?
William held the same rank from 2024 to 2025. Over the full visible history it moved from #5 in 2008 to #10 in 2025.
Is William a girl or boy name?
On Baby Names Australia, William appears as a baby boy name.
What does William mean?
William is most commonly linked to will or desire plus protection.
What is the origin of William?
William is usually described as a Germanic name brought into English through Norman French.
Is William short for anything?
William is usually used as its own name. Nickname options include Will, Billy or Liam.
Names similar to William
If you like William, explore these name lists
Vintage baby boy namesWilliam has an established feel, with origin notes linked to Germanic name brought into English through Norman French.Explore →Baby names with beautiful meaningsWilliam is included because its recorded meaning is will or desire plus protection.Explore →Baby name nicknames and longer formsWilliam has nickname options in the available name notes: Will, Billy or Liam.Explore →Australian boy namesWilliam appears in the Australian ranking data, so it is useful for parents comparing names used locally.Explore →
About the data
Popularity figures use the Australian ranking datasets used by Baby Names Australia, with source-priority rules applied where public sources overlap.
Latest data year
2025
Last updated
2026-08-20