Is Bill a boy's or girl's name?

Bill is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 716 recorded births.

When was Bill most popular?

Bill reached its peak popularity in 1947 with 4,681 births that year. It is currently ranked #4572 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Bill?

Bill is currently ranked #4572 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 160,457 babies since 1880.

Bill

An uncommon Germanic pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsGermanicDeclining Also a pet name

#4572▲ 45in 2024

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.

Compare Bill with another name

Popularity Over Time

Bill was #1502 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #4572, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Bill
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	122	#4266	▼
2010s	423	#2874	▼
2000s	845	#1640	▼
1990s	1,153	#1060	▼
1980s	1,815	#685	▼
1970s	5,205	#369	▼
1960s	25,134	#148	▲
1950s	23,878	#145	▼
1940s	37,756	#74	▲
1930s	32,336	#61	▲
1920s	22,289	#89	▲
1910s	6,599	#147	▲
1900s	1,513	#141	▲
1890s	789	#188	▲
1880s	600	#209	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Bill
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	22	#4572	0
2023	22	#4617	-4 (-15.4%)
2022	26	#4101	+3 (13.0%)
2021	23	#4382	-6 (-20.7%)
2020	29	#3658	+1 (3.6%)
2019	28	#3804	-20 (-41.7%)
2018	48	#2619	+6 (14.3%)
2017	42	#2844	+3 (7.7%)
2016	39	#3000	+6 (18.2%)
2015	33	#3377	-14 (-29.8%)
2014	47	#2584	-3 (-6.0%)
2013	50	#2463	+9 (22.0%)
2012	41	#2873	-1 (-2.4%)
2011	42	#2802	-11 (-20.8%)
2010	53	#2377	-5 (-8.6%)
2009	58	#2254	-15 (-20.5%)
2008	73	#1950	-12 (-14.1%)
2007	85	#1742	0
2006	85	#1670	-1 (-1.2%)
2005	86	#1596	-3 (-3.4%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Bill as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Bill has also been given to 716 girls in the U.S. since 1908.

Unranked

Current rank

716

Total births

1932

Peak year

Compare Bill as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Bill be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Bill is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #4572. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Bill has two lives

Bill, the baby name

#4572boys

160,457 babies

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Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology