A 1930s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Billie since 1880
Babies named Billie per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 34 | 123 |
| 1890s | 233 | 109 |
| 1900s | 988 | 214 |
| 1910s | 4,357 | 1,656 |
| 1920s | 18,471 | 9,548 |
| 1930s | 23,297 | 9,703 |
| 1940s | 16,371 | 3,742 |
| 1950s | 11,638 | 2,183 |
| 1960s | 7,665 | 1,678 |
| 1970s | 9,976 | 1,203 |
| 1980s | 4,310 | 751 |
| 1990s | 2,141 | 382 |
| 2000s | 1,084 | 198 |
| 2010s | 1,158 | 96 |
| 2020s | 1,940 | 51 |
Meaning & origin
Billie is a name with a distinctive vintage charm, first recorded in the United States in 1886. After peaking in popularity in 1930, the name experienced a long decline before beginning a steady rise again in 2009. By the 2020s, it had climbed back into the top 1,000, ranking 691st in 2024, with approximately 1 in 3,930 girls receiving the name. The name's revival is particularly notable in states like Idaho, Mississippi, and Utah, where it has found renewed favor. Billie originated as a diminutive of William, a classic name of Germanic origin meaning 'resolute protection'. Its modern appeal may be attributed to its soft, friendly sound and its association with strong, creative figures, though its recent uptick also reflects a broader trend of reviving vintage nicknames.
Billie is a diminutive of William, which derives from the Old Norman French 'Williame' and ultimately from the Germanic elements 'wil' (will, desire) and 'helm' (helmet, protection). It emerged as a standalone given name in the 19th century, often used as a feminine form of Billy. The name gained popularity in the United States in the early 20th century, especially in the 1920s and 1930s, and has seen a revival in recent years.
Where Billie is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Billie” around the world
Where Billie lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
390
babies in 2024
Ireland
24
babies in 2025
New Zealand
#34
in 2025
Quebec
#36
in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#35
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bill, Bil, Bills
Sibling names for Billie
Names that share Billie's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Billie
Names whose popularity has moved with Billie's over the last 50 years.
