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Billie
Pronounced BIL-ee /ˈbɪl.i/High
Meaning: Resolute protector; feminine diminutive of William, from Old High German wil (will, desire) and helm (helmet, protection)High
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Billie originated as a pet form of William (from Old High German Willahelm — wil, will or desire, and helm, helmet or protection) and was applied to both sexes. As a feminine name, it gained traction in the American South and West during the late 19th and early 20th centuries when giving girls masculine nickname-names was fashionable.
Billie reached its 20th-century peak in the 1930s–1940s on the strength of jazz icons and Western heroines. It declined mid-century before a modern revival, entering the top 500 U.S. girls' names in the 2010s. The rise of Billie Eilish as a global pop phenomenon from 2017 onward gave the name a powerful new cultural anchor for a new generation.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Billie Holiday (1915–1959)American jazz and blues singer, one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century.
- ★Billie Eilish (2001–present)American singer-songwriter; youngest artist to win all four main Grammy categories in one year.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Billie mean?
Billie is a feminine diminutive of William, meaning 'resolute protector' from Old High German wil (will) and helm (helmet or protection).
How do you pronounce Billie?
Billie is pronounced BIL-ee /ˈbɪl.i/ — two syllables with stress on the first.
Is Billie a boy or girl name?
Billie is used for both, but it has become predominantly a girls' name in current use, boosted by the fame of Billie Eilish.
How popular is Billie for girls?
Billie has been climbing the U.S. girls' charts since the 2010s and re-entered the top 500 in recent years, fueled by pop culture.