William
Resolute protector — Germanic origin.
William currently ranks #5 in Canada (2024), #25 in England and Wales (2025), and #10 in the USA (2024).
Cross-registry standing
William ranks in the top 50 in 3 of the 3 places tracked here for boy names.
Where William has ranked over time
Rank trajectory
One line per place tracked for William.
Registry records
| Place | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | #3 | #3 | #3 | #5 | #5 | — |
| England and Wales | #20 | #21 | #24 | #29 | #27 | #25 |
| USA | #5 | #6 | #6 | #10 | #10 | — |
Full history by place, including provinces
| Place | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | ||
| Canada | 2024 | #5 |
| 2023 | #5 | |
| 2022 | #3 | |
| 2021 | #3 | |
| 2020 | #3 | |
| Alberta | 2024 | #6 |
| 2023 | #10 | |
| 2022 | #6 | |
| 2021 | #6 | |
| 2020 | #5 | |
| British Columbia | 2024 | #10 |
| 2023 | #24 | |
| 2022 | #13 | |
| 2021 | #13 | |
| 2020 | #10 | |
| Ontario | 2024 | #12 |
| 2023 | #8 | |
| 2022 | #8 | |
| 2021 | #8 | |
| 2020 | #8 | |
| Quebec | 2024 | #4 |
| 2023 | #5 | |
| 2022 | #2 | |
| 2021 | #2 | |
| 2020 | #3 | |
| England and Wales | 2025 | #25 |
| 2024 | #27 | |
| 2023 | #29 | |
| 2022 | #24 | |
| 2021 | #21 | |
| 2020 | #20 | |
| USA | 2024 | #10 |
| 2023 | #10 | |
| 2022 | #6 | |
| 2021 | #6 | |
| 2020 | #5 | |
Names as popular as William
William ranked #2 among boy names in Quebec, 2022. These names sat either side of it.
Names like William
Similar meaning or origin
Compare William
William is the more popular boy name in Canada, #5 to #14 in 2024
Compare full dossier →Arthur or WilliamWilliam is the more popular boy name in Canada, #5 to #18 in 2024
Compare full dossier →Asher or WilliamWilliam is the more popular boy name in Canada, #5 to #47 in 2024
Compare full dossier →Benjamin or WilliamWilliam is the more popular boy name in Canada, #5 to #9 in 2024
Compare full dossier →Charles or WilliamWilliam is the more popular boy name in Canada, #5 to #30 in 2024
Compare full dossier →Daniel or WilliamWilliam is the more popular boy name in Canada, #5 to #28 in 2024
Compare full dossier →Common questions
Based on 3 official registries
PopularityIs William a popular boy name?
Yes. William reached #2 in Quebec in 2021, a top-ten boy name there.
#2 in Quebec · 2021
GeographyWhere is William most popular?
Of the places tracked here, William ranks highest in England and Wales, at #25 in 2025.
#25 in England and Wales · 2025
MeaningWhat does the name William mean?
William means Resolute protector. It is Germanic in origin.
Sources
Sources for this page: Government of Alberta, BC Vital Statistics Agency, Statistics Canada, Statistics Canada, Office for National Statistics, Government of Ontario, Retraite Québec, United States Social Security Administration.
Full methodology →