Billy is a boy's name of English origin. It is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protection" or "strong-willed warrior." The name Billy has been popular throughout history and has been worn by several notable figures.
One of the most famous Billys was Billy the Kid, whose real name was Henry McCarty. Born in the mid-19th century in New York City, he became a notorious outlaw and gunfighter in the American Wild West. He was known for his quick draw and his involvement in several shootouts.
Another notable figure with the name Billy was Billy Joel, an American singer-songwriter born in 1949. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with hits such as "Piano Man" and "Uptown Girl." His music has been influential in the rock genre and continues to be popular today.
The name Billy has also been used in literature and pop culture. For example, it was the name of the main character in the classic novel "Billy Budd" by Herman Melville. Additionally, the name Billy is often associated with the children's television show "Billy and Blaze," which aired in the 1960s.
Overall, the name Billy has a strong and vibrant history, with notable figures ranging from outlaws to musicians and literary characters. Its meaning, "resolute protection" or "strong-willed warrior," reflects its association with strength and determination throughout history.
The popularity of the name Billy peaked in the mid-1920s with a high of 157 births in 1927 and remained consistently high throughout the 1920s and early 1930s, with over 100 births per year until 1936. After that, there was a steady decline in popularity, reaching its lowest point in recent years with only 9 births recorded in 2023. Overall, Billy has been given as a name to 5404 newborns since 1899.