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Name Lineage

    The first name Liam

    A boy’s name from Irish.

    Pronounced /ˈliːəm/ 2 syllables Male

    Meaning and origin

    Irish origin

    From Irish Liam, a clipping of Uilliam, itself from English William.

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 763 boys were named Liam, making it the 68th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 1996, with 5,802 births (#10).

    03,0006,000 1996200020052010201520202025
    61,245
    babies named Liam, 1996–2025
    #68
    rank in 2025
    1996
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Liam with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Liam at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 20,818 boys born in the United States were named Liam, the 1st most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2024, when 22,252 were.

    015,00030,000 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    359,085
    babies named Liam since 1880
    #1
    rank in 2025
    2024
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Famous people named Liam

    52 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Liam Hemsworth
      Australian actor (born 1990)
    • Liam Delap
      English association football player (born 2003)
    • Liam Millar
      Canadian soccer player, born 1999
    • Liam Aiken
      American actor (born 1990)
    • Liam McIntyre
      Australian actor, born 1982
    • Liam Rosenior
      English footballer and manager (born 1984)
    • Liam Fox
      British politician (born 1961)
    • Liam Ridgewell
      English association football player, born 1984
    • Liam Howlett
      British musician, born 1971
    • Liam Fraser
      Canadian soccer player, born 1998
    • Liam O'Brien
      American voice actor, writer, and director, born 1976
    • Liam James
      Canadian actor, born 1996

    More Irish boys’ names

    All 142 names of Irish origin

    Questions

    What does the name Liam mean?
    From Irish Liam, a clipping of Uilliam, itself from English William.
    What is the origin of the name Liam?
    From Irish Liam, a clipping of Uilliam, itself from English William.
    How popular is the name Liam?
    In 2025, 763 boys born in England and Wales were named Liam, ranking 68th. Its peak was 1996, with 5,802 births.
    Is Liam a boy's or a girl's name?
    Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 359,085 US babies named Liam since 1880 were boys.
    When was Liam most popular?
    2024 in the United States, when 22,252 babies were named Liam, its highest rank at 1st.
    How do you pronounce Liam?
    Liam is /ˈliːəm/, 2 syllables.