Billy
/?b?l.i/ · 2 syllables
♂ Male ◎ Germanic ◈ 2 syllables
"Resolute protector, strong-willed"

From Germanic

Billy means resolute protector — a diminutive of William, from the Germanic. Billy the Kid IS the most legendary outlaw. Billy Joel IS the Piano Man. Billy Crystal IS comedy's most beloved host. Billy Holiday IS jazz's most tragic voice. Two syllables of the most legendary outlaw, the Piano Man, comedy's-most-beloved, AND jazz's-most-tragic.

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Billy at a glance
MeaningResolute protector, strong-willed
OriginGermanic
GenderMale
Syllables2
NumerologyLife Path 6
US Rank (today)#943
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Why parents love Billy
  • Billy the Kid IS the most legendary outlaw.
  • Billy Joel IS the Piano Man.
  • Billy Crystal IS comedy's most beloved host.
  • Billie Holiday IS jazz's most tragic voice.
  • Two syllables with the most American sound: BIL-ee.
The vibe of Billy
resolute protectorWilliamGermanicBilly the KidoutlawJoelPiano ManCrystalHolidayjazz
Origin & history of Billy
Germanic wil (will) + helm (protector) William Billy
1
Germanic roots
Billy is a diminutive of William. The Kid IS the most legendary outlaw. Joel IS the Piano Man. Crystal IS the most beloved host.
2
First recorded
Earliest known use: Diminutive; Billy the Kid (1859–1881).
3
Today
Billy remains a beloved choice, ranking #943 in the US. 389,442 babies have been named Billy since 1880.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, SSA data
How popular is Billy?
1934 peak year
Today, Billy is rarely chosen — ranked around #943, with only about 243 babies given the name per year. But it wasn't always this way. At its peak in 1934, 9,562 babies were given the name (ranked #20 nationally). Its strongest stretch was the 1930s. Billy's usage has held roughly steady recently. In all, around 389,442 babies have been registered as Billy since 1880.
Year-by-year registrations 1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
9,562 Babies named in peak year
(ranked #20)
243 Avg. per year
(last decade)
2,430 Total registrations
last 10 years
389,442 All-time total
(since 1880)
Popularity in the US today (rank #943) Popular
→ Holding steady in recent years
📊 Check all names registered in the United States →
Numerology of Billy
6
Life path number
The Nurturer
Nurturing, love and responsibility.

Billy's Life Path 3 is the communicator's number — Piano-Man communication. People named Billy tend to be American, legendary, and gifted at being outlaw AND Piano Man AND beloved AND tragic.

Outlaw AND Piano Man AND beloved AND tragic
The-Kid
Joel-Piano
Crystal-host
Holiday-jazz
B2
I9
L3
L3
Y7
Sum: 24 → Life path 6
Personality of Billy
❤️
Nurturing heart
They notice when someone is struggling before anyone else.
🏡
Creates warmth
Their circle is warmer for their presence.
⚖️
Strong morals
They know what's right and stand by it.
🌸
Quietly selfless
They give and give, often without realising how much.
Famous people named Billy

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Names that sound like Billy

If you love Billy, you might love these names with a similar sound, rhythm or feel.

Names that combine with Billy

Sibling pairings that share the timeless, classic energy of Billy.

Middle names for Billy

The right middle name turns Billy into a complete story. Explore options for first-and-middle pairings, then last-name flow.

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Numerology life path calculator

Enter any full name and date of birth to discover the life path number — a core numerological indicator of personality, purpose and destiny.

First name
Middle name (optional)
Last name
Date of birth
7
Life path number

How we calculated this
Billy is a beautiful choice.
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