Williams is a name of Welsh origin, derived from the surname "Ap William," which means "son of William." The name William itself comes from the Germanic elements "wil" meaning "will" or "desire," and "helm" meaning "helmet" or "protection." Thus, Williams can be interpreted to mean "strong-willed warrior" or "resolute protection."
The name Williams has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. It was first used as a surname in Wales before being adopted as a given name. Some notable figures with the name include American football coach Jimmy Williams and Welsh poet Edward Williams (Iolo Morganwg).
The given statistics show the annual number of births with the name Williams in the United States from 1880 to 2023. Over this period of 143 years, there have been a total of 6033 births.
Looking at the data, we can see that the popularity of the name Williams has varied over time. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of annual births with the name Williams fluctuated between 6 and 73, with a peak of 73 births in 1920.
However, starting from the 1940s, there was a noticeable increase in the popularity of the name Williams. In 1950, the number of annual births reached 86, which remained relatively high until the late 1960s and early 1970s, with around 50-60 births per year.
After that period, there was a decline in the popularity of the name Williams. In the 1980s and 1990s, the number of annual births ranged between 28 and 69, with a peak of 69 births in 1990.
In recent years, the popularity of the name Williams has seen some fluctuations but generally remains at around 35-50 births per year. Despite these variations, it is clear that Williams continues to be a popular choice for parents in the United States.
It's interesting to note that the name Williams reached its peak popularity in terms of annual births in the late 1940s and early 1950s, with a total of 86 births in 1950. Since then, the popularity of the name has decreased, but it remains a common choice for parents.
In conclusion, these statistics provide insight into the changing trends in the naming practices of parents in the United States over the past century and a half, with Williams being one of the names that have been consistently popular among parents throughout this period.