William...really?

AF9211

DH and I can't decide on a boy's name, so we decided if we can't make a decision by the time LO is born, we will name him after our fathers: William (my dad) Richard (his dad/my father-in-law).

I was doing some research and found that William was #3 on the Social Security's website for most popular names in 2011 and has been in the top 10 for the last 11 years. Does anyone know any little guys named William? I can't say it's popular in my area. I don't know any baby boy born within the last 11 years named William.

I hate the idea that our son could be one of four Williams in his class, along with ten Aidans and six Masons. I know William is a classic, but popular names drive me nuts! We won't be using Richard as a first name because DH is the youngest of 3 boys and his oldest brother is a junior. My father is William Timothy (goes by Tim) but DH hates Tim.

Is William popular where any of you ladies are? I'm just curious...I was really surprised that it was THAT common.

Thanks for listening!

~Kat~

I know one who is 5, but that's it. 

Mommyluv384

I know one young ( auto corrext almost changed young to hung so inapropriate lol) William ..William has a lot of nicknames I wouldn't worry to much, there's bill billy will William. If you like it use it

mrshall10210

I don't know any kids/babies named William.  I think it's a nice name. 

hmp1

It is one of my all time favorite names and the popularity would not stop me from using it. I know a couple of little Williams. One goes by Liam the other goes by William. I tried my hardest to talk DH into naming this LO William and calling him Wills. He wouldn't go for it because of it being a family name that he didn't want to honor. Sigh.

ADub09

never taught one or had one at the school I teach at in 7 years. maybe it is one of those names that people use but nobody really ever hears ... does that make sense!?

plunderb

Yes, it is popular everywhere. William is the #1 name in 13 different states from Massachusetts to Wyoming to Mississippi. There are only 3 states where it is out of the top 25 (Arizona #29, California #31, and New Mexico #44), and it's still top-50. You'll notice that lots of little Williams go by Liam these days.

That said, it's a fine, classic name. It's got family meaning for you, so go ahead and use it.

moonglow_84

There are no Williams amongst any of my acquaintance

BigLyla

My son is William (Will).  He is 5.  William is apparently very popular in my state.  It has been #1, or close, several years in a row.  However, I rarely come across other Wills his age.  It happens, but not frequently.  He has never had a preschool class with another Will.  I have met other boys named William that go by their middle name or some other random nickname.  

AF9211

Thank you for all of your responses!!

BrookusCookus

I have a cousin names after his father. His name is william jacob, but goes strictly by jake.
I actually didnt know until i was around twelve that his name was actually william. He is only a couple years youger than i am.
Maybe thats the case for some of them?

lady dixneuf

my guy is going to be a William...also a family name here.

Maybe all these Liams are actually Williams? 

joyfullyfound

Yeah, it's popular here... among our friends alone, there are 3 Williams under age 5. I LOOOVE the name though! And the NN Will. *Sigh*

Personally, I say you go for it regardless of the popularity. I really like the family significance it has to you both, and I think your little guy will really appreciate it too.  I'm a Brittany, a name which was wildly popular in my generation... I grew up with 3 other Brittany's in my class and I HATED IT. But then I got into high school and saw the other Brittany's way less... and then I graduated and that was that, really. After graduation, my peer group changed to people who were all different ages and now I really rarely meet someone with the same name as me. I now really like my name, and wouldn't change it for the world. So, for a few years in grade school it bothered me, but I'll spend the rest of my life liking it - worth it, me thinks.

Keri Marie

I know more Aidens than Williams. William is a classic!

queenbone

5 yr old William goes by Liam

4 yr old William goes by Will

2 yr old William goes by William

(And I think there is one in DS1's Pre-K class. I misplaced the list.)

There was a Liam in his nature preschool class last year too. 

sweetpea2003

I know TONS. There were two my DD's preschool class of 8 last year and I would say 1/5 baby boys born in my social circle is William/Will/Liam.

I love the name but it is very popular.

lily_721

AF9211:

DH and I can't decide on a boy's name, so we decided if we can't make a decision by the time LO is born, we will name him after our fathers: William (my dad) Richard (his dad/my father-in-law).

I was doing some research and found that William was #3 on the Social Security's website for most popular names in 2011 and has been in the top 10 for the last 11 years. Does anyone know any little guys named William? I can't say it's popular in my area. I don't know any baby boy born within the last 11 years named William.

I hate the idea that our son could be one of four Williams in his class, along with ten Aidans and six Masons. I know William is a classic, but popular names drive me nuts! We won't be using Richard as a first name because DH is the youngest of 3 boys and his oldest brother is a junior. My father is William Timothy (goes by Tim) but DH hates Tim.

Is William popular where any of you ladies are? I'm just curious...I was really surprised that it was THAT common.

Thanks for listening!

William Richard is one of my top names for the same people as well! 

KatieKim0815

William was incredibly popular last year. A royal wedding will do that. I think there are many Williams but most I know go by Liam. An actual William would be refreshing!

526SadieSadie

Most of my friends/cousins have girls so I can't personally gauge how popular William is in my area - but its a really nice name!!

What if you asked your dad for some names he likes and maybe pick from those in his honor instead?

slukd79

We know several as well. The numbers don't lie!

andy711

I've heard of several Williams in my area (Midwest) but it is a great name!! I think multiple Aidan's (or names with that sound) would stick out over multiple Williams in a class and would not worry about it.

MarxieVonTrapp

My colleague has an eight-year-old named William, goes by Will.

A FB friend has a son named William, goes by Will.  

DevonPow

I know a ton of Williams under the age of 5....maybe 7? Very popular here in Boston.

wiscogirl88

My dad's name is William Richard, so thumbs up on the name.

I teach Sunday School and am a figure skating coach, and I haven't met a little William in years. 

MrsTBird

I'm in Michigan, worked in daycares here for 5 years, and have only come across 1 William and 1 Liam. Even though it's popular, it's a really great name. I love the family connection it has for you and YH. Liam is a top contender if we have another boy. So classic!

Outdoorlovinmama4

In my son's Kindergarten class there is one William. Most grades in our school seem to have one William, but I haven't seen any doubles yet. Granted we don't live in a huge area, about 100 kids in a graduating class, but the surrounding towns seems to be about the same for names. Amazingly, my DS is Aiden and he's the only one in his school (there is a Caiden in the grade above him)! No Mason's in his class either and actually haven't seen it on new babies either. I think it depends a lot on where you live. By us, I've been noticing a lot of Bentley, Tucker, Carter, Thomas, a few Georges.

Then there's been some really odd ball names I've been seeing around here lately. Axton, Hyatt, Zaydyn, Karsyn (I know...lots of extra "y's" in names), Hayse, Brantly, Daxton, Braxton...I also don't know what is up with the "axton" names. To each his own I guess.

cmw&tdm

Very popular here, at least one in every preschool my kids have been in. Two in DS's K class this year. Still a good name, maybe call him Will?

outnumbered

DevonPow:

I know a ton of Williams under the age of 5....maybe 7? Very popular here in Boston.

It is very popular in the Boston area.  My son is in 1st grade.  There are about 65 students at his grade level.   There are 4 Williams and one or two Liams.   

MoreThanABride

I know one that is 2

serena07

I know 4 varying in ages. One 26 yr old, one 1 yr old, 1 6 month, 1 newborn and they all go by Liam except the 26 yr old.

DaynaLauren

Out of 12 kids in DS' infant room, there are 3 Wills.  And a Liam that I don't think is short for William though.   And 3 coworkers have Williams (around 2 or 3 years old now).   

 So,  definitely popular by me!