| William | Charles | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Resolute protector | Free man |
| Origin | Germanic | Germanic |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | WIL-yum | CHARLZ |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1947 (67,002) | 1947 (40,781) |
| In 2025 | 10,545 | 5,898 |
| Trend | Declining | Steady |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | William | Charles |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 68,067 | 35,125 |
| 2010s | 159,981 | 70,024 |
| 2000s | 194,415 | 75,334 |
| 1990s | 217,822 | 92,434 |
| 1980s | 248,277 | 131,902 |
| 1970s | 283,401 | 163,021 |
| 1960s | 421,433 | 249,398 |
| 1950s | 591,228 | 361,177 |
| 1940s | 556,478 | 361,772 |
| 1930s | 416,730 | 303,218 |
| 1920s | 512,402 | 298,031 |
| 1910s | 303,017 | 173,535 |
| 1900s | 69,320 | 36,184 |
| 1890s | 72,244 | 36,848 |
| 1880s | 84,881 | 46,656 |
William is a Germanic name meaning “resolute protector,” from wil (“will, desire”) and helm (“helmet, protection”). William the Conqueror brought it to England in 1066, and it has been a royal staple ever since.
Charles is a Germanic name meaning “free man.” It was borne by Charlemagne — Charles the Great — and by a long line of European kings and emperors.
William is more popular than Charles today: about 10,545 US babies were given the name William in 2025, compared with 5,898 named Charles.
William means Resolute protector (Germanic origin), while Charles means Free man (Germanic origin).
In US records, William first appears in 1880 and Charles in 1880, so William has the longer recorded history.