William

William has never really needed an introduction, and that is precisely its charm. It is one of those names that has been liked so consistently that it feels less like a trend and more like part of the furniture. Very handsome furniture, mind. Solid oak.

Its roots are Germanic, and its meaning is suitably sturdy: resolute protector. That is a lovely thing to give a child, particularly a younger sibling who will one day be guarding the last biscuit with his life.

Four nicknames, four personalities

The real magic of William is the sheer number of people it lets him be. There are four classic nicknames, and each one comes with its own personality:

• Will: friendly, easy-going, the one everybody likes
• Liam: the stylish modern spin
• Bill: dependable and grown-up, possibly owns a toolbox
• Billy: cheeky, a bit of a scamp, always up to something

No other name on your list is offering this kind of flexibility. Your William can be Billy at five, Will at fifteen and William at his wedding, and he never has to change his name to do it.

A favourite on several continents

William's popularity is remarkable. It is number 5 in both the United States (2020) and Canada (2024), number 7 in Australia and number 17 in New Zealand. England & Wales has it at 27, which keeps it firmly familiar without feeling ubiquitous.

Elsewhere it becomes more of a stylish import: 121 in France, 203 in Brazil and 308 in Argentina. In those places a William will stand out a touch, which is no bad thing.

Of course, a name this classic attracts serious company. William Shakespeare, the English playwright and poet, is about as heavyweight a namesake as exists. Then there is the nickname effect: Bill Gates, the American businessman, investor and philanthropist, shows that a Bill can go a very long way. And fans of the Harry Potter universe will know Bill Weasley, proof that the nickname works just as well in a world of wands.

When it comes to siblings, William sits perfectly beside Alexander, Henry, Elizabeth and Charlotte. They are names with real weight, the kind that would look equally good on a school register or on a hand-lettered wedding invitation. William and Charlotte sound like a pair who would share the last slice of cake, eventually, after much negotiation.

There is a reason William has lasted so well. It works at every age, in almost every country, and with almost any surname. It is formal when it needs to be and relaxed when it does not, and it will never, ever need spelling out.

Still, even a name this dependable will not stop the agonising. You will still say it out loud to an empty room, imagine it being shouted across a football pitch, and wonder whether it is too popular. That is all part of the glorious headache of naming a human. But if you want a steadfast classic that grows with him, William is a resolute choice.