Holding steady.
Popularity of Billey since 1920
Babies named Billey per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 113 |
| 1930s | 175 |
| 1940s | 113 |
| 1950s | 53 |
| 1960s | 55 |
| 1970s | 9 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Billey is a rare diminutive of William that experienced a brief period of modest use in the early 20th century. According to Social Security data, the name peaked in 1934, when it was recorded for a small number of births, and it has since fallen out of common use. Its trajectory over the decades has been stable at near-zero usage, with no recorded data for most recent years. Unlike its more popular variant Billy, Billey never achieved top-1000 rank, and it has no strong association with any particular U.S. state. The name carries the friendly, old-fashioned charm of early 20th century nickname-names, evoking a sense of nostalgia rather than modern trendiness.
Billey is an English diminutive of William, which derives from the Old Norman French Williame and ultimately from the Germanic elements wil 'will, desire' and helm 'helmet, protection'. Historically, Billey emerged as a pet form in the 19th century, often used as a familiar or affectionate variant of Billy. It saw modest use in the early 20th century, peaking in 1934, but has since become rare.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bill, Will
Sibling names for Billey
Names that share Billey's style, for a brother or sister.
