Billie is a gender-neutral given name of English origin. It is derived from the medieval male given name William, which is ultimately derived from the Germanic elements wil "will" and helm "helmet, protection." Therefore, Billie means "resolute protector."
The name Billie has been used for centuries as a pet form or diminutive of William. In the Middle Ages, it was often used as a nickname for young boys who were considered brave and strong-willed. Over time, however, Billie has become more associated with female individuals, possibly due to its usage by famous women such as Billie Holiday, the renowned jazz singer.
In recent years, Billie has gained popularity as a unisex given name. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, it was one of the fastest-growing names for both boys and girls between 2015 and 2019. While it is still more commonly used for females, its use for males has also been increasing.
Overall, Billie is a name with a rich history and meaningful origin. Its gender-neutral nature makes it an attractive choice for parents seeking a unique yet timeless name for their child. Whether you're drawn to its strong meaning or simply appreciate its distinctive sound, Billie is certainly a name worth considering.
Based on the annual birth statistics for the name Billie in the United States from 1886 to 2023, we can observe several trends and patterns over time.
From 1886 to 1925, there was a significant increase in the number of births registered with the name Billie. The first decade saw fluctuations between single-digit figures (8-7-6 births) and double-digit numbers (13-9-11 births). However, starting from 1905, there was a steady rise in popularity, reaching over 100 births annually by 1912.
The peak of Billie's popularity occurred between 1924 and 1928, with the highest number of births recorded in 1927 (2550 births). This period marked the name's zenith before beginning a gradual decline in usage over time.
From the late 1930s onwards, Billie's popularity continued to decrease. By the early 1940s, annual births had dropped below 2000 and remained there until the mid-1960s when they fluctuated between around 700 to 1100 births per year.
Starting in the late 1970s, Billie's popularity began to stabilize at lower levels, with fewer than 850 births recorded annually. This trend continued through most of the 1980s and 1990s, except for a slight increase between 1989 and 1994 (232-241 births).
In recent years, from 2000 onwards, Billie's popularity has seen a resurgence, with birth numbers fluctuating between around 70 to 300 annually. In 2022 and 2023, the name Billie was given to 284 and 308 newborns in the United States respectively.
In conclusion, based on these statistics, we can see that while Billie's popularity has waxed and waned over time, it remains a name with a consistent presence in the United States. Its peak usage occurred during the early to mid-20th century, but even in recent years, hundreds of newborns are still named Billie each year.