Oliver vs William

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

William

Boy #10 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"resolute protector, strong-willed guardian"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English German French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#10
Total SSA Count
10,596
Syllables
3
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Will, Bill, Billy

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for William →

Popularity Comparison

Oliver Rank #3
William Rank #10

Oliver is more popular, ranked #3 vs #10 for William.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Oliver ___

  • Oliver James
  • Oliver Thomas
  • Oliver William
  • Oliver Henry
  • Oliver John
  • Oliver Benjamin

William ___

  • William James
  • William Thomas
  • William Henry
  • William Alexander
  • William Edward
  • William Charles

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Oliver

Olivia Charlotte Emma Sophia Amelia

If you choose William

Charlotte Eleanor Amelia Olivia Henry

Which Name Fits Your Family?

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1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oliver or William more popular?

Oliver is more popular, ranked #3 compared to William at #10 in the United States.

What do Oliver and William mean?

Oliver means "olive tree" (Latin origin). William means "resolute protector, strong-willed guardian" (Germanic origin).

Are Oliver and William boy or girl names?

Oliver is primarily a boy name. William is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Oliver ← Full profile: William Browse all baby names