| William | Henry | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Resolute protector | Home ruler |
| Origin | Germanic | Germanic |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | WIL-yum | HEN-ree |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1947 (67,002) | 2025 (12,020) |
| In 2025 | 10,545 | 12,020 |
| Trend | Declining | Near its peak |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | William | Henry |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 68,067 | 68,047 |
| 2010s | 159,981 | 92,585 |
| 2000s | 194,415 | 42,760 |
| 1990s | 217,822 | 25,249 |
| 1980s | 248,277 | 20,728 |
| 1970s | 283,401 | 23,511 |
| 1960s | 421,433 | 39,134 |
| 1950s | 591,228 | 62,230 |
| 1940s | 556,478 | 72,488 |
| 1930s | 416,730 | 70,419 |
| 1920s | 512,402 | 104,552 |
| 1910s | 303,017 | 79,667 |
| 1900s | 69,320 | 21,772 |
| 1890s | 72,244 | 21,664 |
| 1880s | 84,881 | 24,139 |
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.
Henry is a Germanic name meaning “home ruler,” from heim (“home”) and ric (“ruler”). It has been borne by eight English kings.
Henry is more popular than William today: about 12,020 US babies were given the name Henry in 2025, compared with 10,545 named William.
William means Resolute protector (Germanic origin), while Henry means Home ruler (Germanic origin).
In US records, William first appears in 1880 and Henry in 1880, so William has the longer recorded history.