Gender: Boy
Meaning: Strong-willed warrior and protector
Origin: Irish — short form of Uilliam, itself from the Old Germanic Wilhelm
Popularity: Ranked #1 in 2024 with 22,164 babies born.
History: Liam began as a distinctly Irish nickname but crossed the Atlantic in force during the 1990s. It climbed steadily through the 2000s and has held the #1 spot on the U.S. boys chart every year from 2017 through 2024 — a remarkable seven-year reign. The name benefits from its crisp two-syllable sound and strong consonants, and it carries the rugged charm of famous bearers like Liam Neeson.
Famous people named Liam: Liam Neeson (actor), Liam Hemsworth (actor), Liam Gallagher (musician), Liam Payne (singer)
Name length: 4 letters
How common is Liam? About 1 in 150 babies born in 2024 were named Liam, or roughly 60.8 per day in the United States.
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