The nameLiam
Liam is a boy's name of Irish origin, a short form of William meaning "resolute protector". It has been the most popular boys' name in the United States since 2017.
- Boy's name
- Germanic
- Feast day
Meaning
Liam is the Irish short form of Uilliam, the Irish version of William. William comes from the Germanic Willahelm, made of wil, "will, desire", and helm, "helmet, protection": a "resolute protector".
Origin
Germanic, through Irish. Long used as a nickname for William in Ireland, Liam became a name in its own right in the 20th century.
History
Liam spread from Ireland to the rest of the English-speaking world from the 1990s, carried by figures such as the actor Liam Neeson and the Oasis singer Liam Gallagher. In the United States it entered the top 10 in 2012 and has ranked first every year since 2017. It is also very popular in Ireland, Switzerland, Belgium and Norway.
Liam in other languages
Liam is the Irish short form of Uilliam, that is William. The same family gives Guillaume in French, Wilhelm in German, Guglielmo in Italian and Guillermo in Spanish.
Did you know?
- Liam has been the most popular boys' name in the United States every year since 2017.
- Liam began as an Irish short form of Uilliam, the Irish form of William.
- Liam Gallagher and his brother Noel reunited Oasis in 2025 for a world tour.
Famous people named Liam
- Liam Neeson, actor
- Liam Gallagher, singer
- Liam Payne, singer
- Liam Hemsworth, actor
Popularity of the name Liam
Liam in the United States
Liam was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 174,225 births over the decade, 52% of all recorded babies named Liam. Its rise began around 1999, and it peaked in 2024. Half of all babies named Liam in the United States were born before 2016, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 20,806 births a year.
Liam in the United Kingdom
Liam was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 32,326 births over the decade, 49% of all recorded babies named Liam. Half of all babies named Liam in the United Kingdom were born before 2005, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 882 births a year.
Liam in Ireland
Liam in France
Liam in Belgium
Liam in Switzerland
Liam in Austria
Liam in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Liam
Names from the same generation as Liam, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Liam? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Liam with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Liam side by side with the name of your choice.
Liam in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Liam mean?
Liam is the Irish short form of Uilliam, the Irish version of William. William comes from the Germanic Willahelm, made of wil, "will, desire", and helm, "helmet, protection": a "resolute protector".
What is the origin of the name Liam?
Germanic, through Irish. Long used as a nickname for William in Ireland, Liam became a name in its own right in the 20th century.
Is Liam a girl's or a boy's name?
Liam is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Liam?
In 2024, Liam was the 1st most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 22,164 births.
What are the variants of the name Liam?
Variants and related names of Liam include Lyam and William.
What are good sibling names for Liam?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Charlotte, Amelia, Alice and Adelaide for a sister, Henry, Levi, Hudson and Silas for a brother.
Who are famous people named Liam?
Liam Neeson, actor; Liam Gallagher, singer; Liam Payne, singer; Liam Hemsworth, actor.