Declining since 2020, #9,714 for boys today.
Popularity of Wilian since 1989
Babies named Wilian per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2007, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Wilian's real moment was 2023.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 41 |
| 2000s | 81 |
| 2010s | 63 |
| 2020s | 47 |
Meaning & origin
Wilian is a modern spelling variant of the classic name William, maintaining the same strong etymological roots while offering a distinct orthographic identity. First recorded in the U.S. in 1989, the name has seen a subtle but consistent presence, reaching its highest rank of 9,714 in 2023 before a slight decline in 2025, with about 1 in 244,011 births. The trajectory has been falling since 2020, indicating a niche rather than rising trend. The spelling is particularly common in Portuguese-speaking communities, reflecting the global reach of the William name family. While not among the top names, Wilian remains a recognizable and straightforward alternative for parents seeking a familiar yet slightly unique choice.
Wilian is a spelling variant of William, which derives from the Old Norman French name Willame, composed of the Germanic elements 'wil' (will, desire) and 'helm' (helmet, protection). The name was introduced to England by the Normans and became consistently popular, giving rise to numerous forms and spellings across languages, including the Brazilian Portuguese variant Wilian.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Will, Willy, Bill
Sibling names for Wilian
Names that share Wilian's style, for a brother or sister.
