Meaning & Origin
A diminutive of the male given name William.
Bill is a boy's and girl's baby name of Germanic origin, a diminutive of William, from the Old German elements wil meaning 'will, desire' and helm meaning 'helmet, protection.' Bill took on a life of its own as an independent name in America.
Enormously popular in the 1930s and 1940s, Bill has been the name of U.S. presidents, tech titans (Bill Gates), and beloved comedians (Bill Murray) — a name that spans every field of American achievement. No-nonsense and instantly likeable, with the heritage of William behind it.