Williaw
A masculine name of Old German origin representing a strong-willed warrior.
Name Census estimates that about 2 living Americans carry the first name Williaw. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Williaw today is around 96 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Williaw births was 1942 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Williaw. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Williaw is about 96 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Williaws were born before 1940.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Williaw. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
2
~ 1 in 171,377,169 Americans
Peak year
1942
5 babies that year
Average age
96
years old
1942 SSA rank
#4,033
Tracked since 1942
Popularity
Williaw: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Williaw by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Williaw during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1940s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Williaw
The given name Williaw has its origins rooted in the Old English language, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period in Britain, around the 7th to 11th centuries AD. The name is derived from the Old English compound words "wil" and "leaw," which respectively mean "will" or "desire" and "protection" or "shelter." Thus, the name Williaw can be interpreted as "one who desires protection" or "one with a strong will for shelter."
In ancient Anglo-Saxon society, names often carried symbolic meanings or reflected desirable qualities, and Williaw was likely chosen for its connotations of strength, determination, and a desire for security. The name's etymology suggests it may have initially been given to individuals who exhibited resilience or perseverance in the face of adversity.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Williaw can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This entry suggests that the name was already in use among the Anglo-Saxon population before the Norman conquest.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Williaw. One such example is Williaw the Conqueror (c. 1028-1087), the Norman duke who became the first Norman king of England after his victory at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. His reign marked a significant turning point in English history and the establishment of the Plantagenet dynasty.
Another prominent figure was Williaw Caxton (c. 1422-1491), an English merchant, diplomat, and writer who introduced the printing press to England in 1476. He played a crucial role in the dissemination of knowledge and the development of the English language through his publication of literary works.
In the realm of science, Williaw Harvey (1578-1657) was an English physician who made groundbreaking discoveries about the circulation of blood in the human body. His work laid the foundations for modern cardiovascular science and earned him recognition as a pioneering figure in the field of medicine.
The name Williaw also holds significance in the field of literature, with Williaw Shakespeare (1564-1616) being one of the most renowned and celebrated writers in the English language. His plays and sonnets have had a profound influence on literature, theater, and popular culture for centuries.
Lastly, Williaw Wilberforce (1759-1833) was a British politician and philanthropist who played a pivotal role in the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire. His tireless efforts and advocacy for human rights have left an indelible mark on history and inspired countless others to fight against injustice.
People
Williaw + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Williaw as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with W
Other first names starting with W with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Williaw: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Williaw?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 2 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Williaw going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 171,377,169 US residents.
Is Williaw a common name?
We classify Williaw as "Very Rare". It ranks above 4.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Williaw most popular?
The single biggest year for Williaw was 1942, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Williaw is about 96 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Williaw in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Williaw a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Williaw in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Williaw still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Williaw in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Williaw can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How common is the name Williaw?
For a quick modern take, check how many Americans are named Williaw on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org.