Billy
Billy is a masculine given name, predominantly used in English-speaking countries as a diminutive or nickname for William.[1][2] The root name William derives from the Old High German Willahelm, combining wil ("will" or "desire") and helm ("helmet" or "protection"), yielding the meaning "resolute protector".[3][4] While often informal, Billy has gained traction as an independent given name, appearing in historical and modern contexts across professions like entertainment, evangelism, and athletics, reflecting its enduring simplicity and approachability.[5][6] Its popularity peaked in the mid-20th century in the United States and United Kingdom but persists as a classic choice evoking straightforward, resilient character traits.[2]