Why is the baby name William so popular (#8)?

Question

I just had a baby boy and decided to name him William. It seems that it would be a cool name and has the nickname Will which is nice. It seems that when I tell people that I named him William they act like it is a name that's only for old people. The name is #8 on the social security list and #1 on most states on the east coast. Am I missing something or is William a name I should reconsider?

Answer 1

well thats funny, My son name is william Andrew and i just loved that name 14 yrs ago.. I guess it is very popular these days.

Answer 2

With all the crazy names now-a-days, it probably does seem old fashioned to most. But, this is a classic name and very handsome. Go with what you like. And you always have the option of using the nicknames Will or Liam- which seem to modernize it more.

People are not familiar with baby name trends and top baby name lists, so they don't know that it is still used often. Even though we might not encounter many baby Williams now, it is still used widely over all.

Answer 3

Most men named William are 60+ so many people understandably consider it an old name.  

I could be wrong but it has only been recent that it has returned in popularity.

It is an ok name but way way over used.  If you like names like that then go for it.

Answer 4

I think William is  beautiful, classic, timeless  name.  Sure beats most of the name suggestions I see in this forum!

Answer 5

Williams a nice name... It's regal and grown up, but its fine for a baby! Everyone called William was a baby once right?! haha

Answer 6

As long as you like the name, it doesn't matter. William is a very strong name that demands a level of courage and respect. Just because it may be "old" it doesn't mean bad or ugly.

You can have fun with nicknames including Will, Liam. Bill and may more. Check some baby names sites to look out for other nicknames.

Congratulations and remember that the person makes the name, the name doesn't make the person.

Answer 7

I love the name William. Its my brother in law and my nephew's name. I wouldn't change it. If you like it, keep it! it's your baby! Congrats!  

Answer 8

I think because either it is a family name or because the nicknames are so great. Liam and Will, adorable.

Answer 9

it is old-idh

Answer 10

I think its popular because William reminds us of royalty.  Princess Diana named her first son William and she was a person that many people looked up too.  I personally think the name William is classic and timeless.  Its better than naming your son some wacky name that will haunt him for the rest of his life.  

Answer 11

Well, it's very English.

Answer 12

I don't think it's old. I know a ton of people named William or Will, even people my age and I'm only 23. Whoever said William is a name for old people is entirely clueless about the rest of society. I think it's a nice name.  

Answer 13

Heh.  Well, I know in my family I have an uncle Bill on both side, and a step-uncle Bill.  So I have like 4-5 cousin Bills-Williams.  Grandpa's name too, so there's a whole crop of second cousins and third cousins who are Will.  I considered the name then threw it out when I saw that.

There's several reasons though.  Like my family, it could be hereditary.  Or it could be that someone from the 90's watched Star Trek too much (William T. Riker.)  Or people heard of Prince William.  Or too much Pirates (Will Turner.)  Maybe they liked Fresh Prince (Will Smith.)  In any case, the name is in almost every media these days, so it's not that surprising.  

As for the female version... Willamina... I haven't seen THAT one used for a while.  

As for people "that's an old person's name" I get that with my daughter (named her Hazel.)  I like it.  It has meaning for me, and my hubby.  And it's a name everyone's heard but few people know someone named it, so I like that.  The only time I've seen it in the news was when Julia Roberts named her kids Phineas and Hazel.

Don't let them bug you.  William is a great name.

Answer 14

it's a nice name

Answer 15

Yes, I think it's very common, but it's nice. Plus, you can't really go wring with a name like that. There are plenty of names for when you're younger, and for when you're older as well.  

Answer 16

We're naming our son Kyle William...it's a family name for us.  William is a classis name, and no you shouldn't reconsider.  Our daughter is named Susannah, which is also an older, classic name.

At least your thinking of the childs future, unlike the Nevaeh's, Shirikas and whatnot.    

Answer 17

no william is an awesome name, plus for little kids he could go by liam, thats what we called my little brother and he still goies by it at the age of 14 its an awesome name dont change it

Answer 18

i only know one William so idk what to tell u

Answer 19

It's classic and it's probably being chosen by parents that want to steer away from the obnoxious made-up / trendy names. I think it's a good name, good options for nicknames, and it has little chance of being overtaken by unisex fanatics. (Well, I hope it won't, but who knows with parents these days.)

It's your boy's name, and it's a good one (= Don't take it from him.

Answer 20

I think it's because it gets passed down, so William will name his son William and so on. Or maybe people that don't like trendy names name their sons William, Robert, etc.  

Answer 21

I wouldn't worry about people acting like the name is for old people.  That's way out there!  

William is commonly a family name, passed down through generations.  I'm sure you've known lots of Bills, Billys, Wills, Willies..etc.  That's why it's so high up on the list of common names.  

What matters is what you think of the name.