How common is the name William Obrien?

The first name William is shared by approximately 3.7 million people worldwide. The surname Obrien is among the most recognizable in its region of origin.

Where is the name William most common?

The name William is most prevalent in United States and surrounding regions.

When was William most popular?

The name William reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.

William Obrien — Name Meaning, Origin & Statistics

William Obrien is a name combining Germanic origins, bringing together "strong protector" (William) with "descendant of Brian" (Obrien). The first name William is a masculine given name of Germanic origin. From the Old High German Willahelm, composed of wil (will, desire) and helm (helmet, protection). Introduced to England by William the Conqueror in 1066. The surname Obrien from Irish Ó Briain, meaning 'descendant of Brian.' Brian Boru, High King of Ireland who defeated the Vikings at Clontarf (1014), founded this family. William is one of the most widespread first names worldwide, carried by approximately 3.7 million people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name William reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: William

Meaning: strong protector

Germanic

From the Old High German Willahelm, composed of wil (will, desire) and helm (helmet, protection). Introduced to England by William the Conqueror in 1066.

Surname: Obrien

Meaning: descendant of Brian

Celtic

From Irish Ó Briain, meaning 'descendant of Brian.' Brian Boru, High King of Ireland who defeated the Vikings at Clontarf (1014), founded this family.

Geographic Distribution

The first name William is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 46%

United Kingdom 24%

Germany 13%

Australia 9%

Canada 8%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name William by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s

1910s

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Name Variants & Related Names

The name William has several variants and related forms across different languages and cultures:

Will
Bill
Willy
Billy
Guillaume
Wilhelm
Guillermo

Variants of the surname Obrien: O'Brien OBrian Brien

Notable People Named William Obrien

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for William Obrien:

7

Expression Number

Wisdom and introspection. A deep, analytical mind drawn to philosophy, spirituality and the search for truth.

3

Soul Urge Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

4

Personality Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name William?: The first name William originates from Germanic. From the Old High German Willahelm, composed of wil (will, desire) and helm (helmet, protection). Introduced to England by William the Conqueror in 1066.
How common is the name William Obrien?: The first name William is shared by approximately 3.7 million people worldwide. The surname Obrien is among the most recognizable in its region of origin.
Where is the name William most common?: The name William is most prevalent in United States and surrounding regions.
When was William most popular?: The name William reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.