Bill
Meaning of Bill
As a male given name, Bill—pronounced bil (/bɪl/)—is the traditional English diminutive of William, itself derived from the Germanic Wilhelm (will/desire + helmet/protection). Originally a colloquial pet form, Bill rose to prominence in Anglo-American usage in the early 20th century, peaking in 1931 with over 3,000 births and a rank of 56. It maintained top-100 status through the mid-century before gradually yielding ground to longer or more novel names, landing at rank 902 in 2024 with just 22 recorded births. Despite this decline, Bill’s straightforward sound and unpretentious character have ensured its enduring presence—embodied by figures from Bill Gates to Bill Murray—and today lend it a quietly retro, dependable appeal.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as bil (/bɪl/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Bill
| Bill Clinton - William Jefferson Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd president of the United States from 1993 to 2001. |
| Bill Russell was a legendary American basketball player who won 11 NBA championships with the Boston Celtics. |
| William Henry Gates III, known as Bill Gates, is an American businessman and philanthropist who co-founded Microsoft. |
| Bill Belichick - William Stephen Belichick is an American football coach who led the New England Patriots to a record six Super Bowl wins as head coach. |
| Bill Walton - William Theodore Walton III was a Hall of Fame basketball player and television sportscaster who starred at UCLA and played for three NBA teams. |
| Bill O'Reilly - William James O'Reilly Jr. is an American conservative commentator, journalist, author, and TV host. |
| Bill Murray is an award-winning American actor and comedian known for his deadpan humor in comedies and dramas. |
| William Sanford Nye, known as Bill Nye the Science Guy, is an American science educator, television host, and former mechanical engineer. |
| Bill Weld - William Floyd Weld is an American attorney, author, businessman, and former Massachusetts governor who ran for vice president in 2016 and president in 2020. |
| Bill Ackman - William Albert Ackman is an American billionaire investor and the founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management. |
| Bill Watterson is an American cartoonist best known for creating the beloved comic strip Calvin and Hobbes. |
| Bill Hader is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker best known for his impressions and role as Stefon on Saturday Night Live. |
| Bill Sienkiewicz - Boleslav Sienkiewicz is an American comic book artist known for his Marvel work and co-creating the character Legion. |
| William Harrison Withers Jr., known as Bill Withers, was a Grammy-winning soul singer and songwriter famed for hits like Lean on Me and Lovely Day. |
| Bill Paxton - William Paxton was an American actor, filmmaker and musician known for his Texan drawl, relatable characters and award-nominated performances. |
