Liam: Meaning, origin and popularity
Pronounced LEE-um · 2 syllables
Liam means “resolute protector (from William)”, from Irish and Germanic.
From Irish Liam, a clipping of Uilliam, itself from English William.
- Meaning
- resolute protector (from William)
- Origin
- Irish, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- LEE-um
- US rank (2025)
- #1
- US babies a year
- about 21,039 (2021–2025)
- Peak
- around 2020
How popular is Liam?
Liam was the #1 name in the US in 2025, given to 20,846 babies. Its use has been fairly steady over the last decade. It peaked around 2020.
Most popular in Arkansas (#1), Arizona (#1), California (#1), Colorado (#1), Florida (#1), Georgia (#1), Illinois (#1), Maryland (#1).
Around the world
| Country | Rank |
|---|---|
| United States | #1 |
| England & Wales | #79 |
| Scotland | #34 |
| Northern Ireland | #59 |
| Ireland | #7 |
| France | #12 |
| Norway | #7 |
| Canada | #2 |
| Australia | #23 |
How old are people named Liam?
Half of US adults named Liam are older than 23; most are between 18 and 37. (Estimated from US births by year and life tables.)
Sibling names for Liam
Names that real brothers and sisters of people named Liam have, from family records on Wikidata, most common first.
Names like Liam
Chosen by the same families or with a similar style and era.
- Aidan
- Kian
- Eamon
- Maximilian
- Avraham
- Alessandro
- Ibrahim
- Muhammad
- Kane
- Colm
- Fergus
- Ryan
- Finn
- Allyn
- Mikayla
- Jean-Luc
On these lists
- The most popular boy names in the US
- Irish boy names
- Germanic boy names
- Short baby names (4 letters or fewer)
Questions about Liam
What does the name Liam mean?
Liam means “resolute protector (from William)”. It comes from Irish and Germanic.
How do you pronounce Liam?
Liam is pronounced LEE-um.
How popular is the name Liam?
Liam was the #1 name in the US in 2025, given to 20,846 babies. Its use has been fairly steady over the last decade. It peaked around 2020.
How old are people named Liam?
Half of US adults named Liam are older than 23. Most are between 18 and 37.