Liam

Liam: name meaning, origin & popularity

Meaning: “resolute protector”
Origin: Irish
Say it: LEE-um · 2 syllables
Used for: Boys

Originally a short form of Uilliam, the Irish form of William. William derives from Germanic elements meaning 'will, desire' and 'helmet, protection'.

Irish names English names Names meaning protector Names meaning strength Names meaning brave Classic names Short names International names

How popular is Liam?

20246,669 per million US babies

Drag the line or the slider to read any year. Values are per million US births recorded by Social Security. Records before about 1937 undercount births, so early peaks can look taller than they were.

Compare with another name

Babies named Liam in 202422,198

2024 rank#1 boys

Peak year2024

Total US babies since 1880338,059

Liam has been fairly stable over the last fifteen years.

Names like Liam

Variants, related forms and names with the same roots.

Williamresolute protector · Germanic
Wilsonson of Will · English
Guillermoresolute protector · Germanic
Lyamresolute protection · French
Willresolute protector · Germanic
Billresolute protector · Germanic
Willisdescendant of Will · English
Aidenlittle fire · Irish

Liam questions

What does the name Liam mean?

Liam means "resolute protector". It comes from Irish. Originally a short form of Uilliam, the Irish form of William. William derives from Germanic elements meaning 'will, desire' and 'helmet, protection'.

Is Liam a boy or girl name?

Liam is mainly a boy's name in US records (100% of uses since 1880).

How popular is Liam?

22,198 US babies were named Liam in 2024. Its peak year was 2024.

How do you pronounce Liam?

Liam is usually pronounced LEE-um.

Birth counts: US Social Security Administration national data, 1880–2024 (names given to 5+ babies of a sex in a year). How we write meanings.