About the name Bill
Bill is a boy name with Proto-Germanic roots, literally “will + helmet”. It is related to William, which is where the meaning comes from.
It has a vintage, unique, short & sweet feel. In 2025, Bill ranked #5235 for boys in the US, with 18 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 1947. Since 2000, 100% of US babies named Bill were boys.
Etymology
A diminutive of William, which comes from Proto-Germanic, meaning “will” + “helmet”.
Name meaning adapted from Wiktionary (“Bill”, “William”) by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- US rank 2025
- #5235
- In 2015
- #3377
- Babies in 2025
- 18
Popularity of Bill, 1940–2025
Latest SSA data: 2025.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).
Hello, world
Bill
Your last name
born on your big day
7 LB 4 OZ · 20 IN
The Baby Kit
See Bill on a birth announcement
Birth announcements, shower invitations, nursery wall art and milestone cards, all personalized with Bill. Type your details once and print at home or at any print shop.
Nicknames for Bill
Bill is already short and sweet, so it doesn't usually get a nickname.
Names similar to Bill
Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.