Total births
96
Boys' name · since 1920
Wlliam
Since 1920, U.S. Social Security records show 96 babies named Wlliam, peaking in 1985. See the year-by-year trend, decade totals, and state rankings below, sourced from federal birth data.
- 96
- total births
- 1920–1987
- years on record
- 1960s
- peak decade
- 41%
- born in that decade
96 boys have been named Wlliam since 1920, though it isn't currently a top-ranked name.
Social Security Administration records show Wlliam recorded 96 times among boys since 1920, though it doesn't currently rank among the most-used boys names, peaking in the 1960s. This profile derives year-by-year birth trends, decade totals, and state-level distribution directly from SSA birth-registration files spanning 1920 to 1987.
- 96 total births
- 1920–1987 years on record
- 1960s peak decade
- 41% born in that decade
Data updated Jun 2026
The verdict
96 boys have been named Wlliam since 1920, peaking in the 1960s, last recorded in 1987.
- 96
- total births
- 1920–1987
- years on record
- 1960s
- peak decade
- 41%
- born in that decade
1960s
Peak decade
41% of everyone ever named Wlliam was born in this single decade.
1985
Single peak year
13 babies were named Wlliam in 1985 - its busiest year on record.
Wlliam's usage pattern, beyond the headline number
Divide Wlliam's SSA record in two at 1965 and the more recent half accounts for 55% of all births, the earlier half the remaining 45%, a genuinely balanced usage pattern. Its calmest year was 1927, with only 5 births recorded -- set against the 1985 peak of 13, that's the full swing in one name's fortunes.
Wlliam at a glance
Last recorded 1987Peak year
1985
Current rank
Unranked
Active since
1920
Wlliam popularity over time
Annual U.S. births registered with the Social Security Administration · 1920–1987
- Peak year (1985)
- 13
- Annual births at peak, across 68 years of records
Wlliam by decade
Total births in each ten-year window, peak vs trough at a glance
1960s was Wlliam's strongest decade.
39 babies received the name during that ten-year window, about 41% of all-time use.
Wlliam births by decade
Total births in each ten-year window
- 1920s 11
1920s
11 births
- 1940s 6
1940s
6 births
- 1960s
1960s
39 births
- 1970s 14
1970s
14 births
- 1980s
1980s
26 births
What this shows Peak: 1960s at 39 births (41% of all-time use).
Frequently Asked Questions
How popular is the name Wlliam? ▼
Since 1920, Social Security records show 96 babies named Wlliam. The most recent recorded year was 1987. Its busiest year on record was 1985, with 13 births.
When was Wlliam most popular? ▼
Wlliam was most popular in the 1960s decade with 39 total births. The single peak year was 1985.
How long has the name Wlliam been used? ▼
The SSA has tracked Wlliam since 1920 -- 68 years through the most recent 1987 data.
What to do with Wlliam's data
- Wlliam's usage has stayed within range of its 1960s decade-level peak (39 total births) through the 1980s (26) -- a comparatively stable name, not a fading trend.
- Weighing it against an alternative? Put two names side by side. Compare names
Figures reflect SSA-reported births only; see the methodology above for the privacy-suppression floor.
Keep exploring Wlliam
Related Names
Names with a similar number of total births
Data Sources
Data as of June 2026. Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA).
According to the Social Security Administration, this profile draws directly from the agency's public-use baby-name files (updated June 2026). See our methodology for the full extraction, aggregation, and privacy-suppression rules.
Primary: Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Baby Names from Social Security Card Applications, National Data, 1920–1987 (ssa.gov/oact/babynames).
State-level: Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Baby Names, State-Level Files (namesbystate.zip).
Cite this page
NameAlmanac Editorial. "Wlliam: Baby Name Since 1920 - 96 Births, Peak 1985." NameAlmanac. Accessed via https://namealmanac.com/name/wlliam. Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Name Almanac is rendered directly from the Social Security Administration's public baby-name files, no number is typed in by an editor. This profile for Wlliam draws directly on SSA national and state-level files, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of June 2026.