Liam Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Liam Name Meaning

Fact: Liam Neeson, with his roles in blockbuster movies like “Taken” and “Schindler’s List,” has given the name a strong and heroic image in Hollywood.

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A Deep Dive

Liam Overview

Meaning

Helmet of will, protection, strong-willed warrior, guardian

Gender

Boy

Origin

Irish

Etymology

Derived from the Irish name “Uilliam,” a shortened form of “William”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/liːəm/

Popularity

Liam has surged in popularity, consistently ranking in the top five for boys’ names in the U.S. from 2017 to 2023, and securing the number one spot in 2023.

Syllable

1 syllable

Length

4 letters

Numerology

8 (Practical, Ambitious, Materialistic)

Name Styles

Popular, Short, Cool, Cute

Associated Traits

Powerful, protective, charming

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Liam, as a variant of William, is associated with several saints, including Saint William of Gellone. The name also carries cultural significance in Irish heritage.

Name Day

January 10th (associated with Saint William of Bourges)
A Deep Dive

Liam Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Liam, William, Willem, Willis, Wilhelm, Guillaume, Guglielmo, Liamon, Lyam, Lyamson

Common Nicknames

Lee, Lilo, Lenny, Liamy

Diminutives

Lio, Lilo, Leo, L, LJ

Famous People

  • Liam Neeson
    (Irish Actor)
  • Liam Hemsworth
    (Australian Actor)
  • Liam Payne
    (English Singer)
  • Liam Cunningham
    (Irish Actor)
  • Liam Gallagher
    (English Musician)
  • Liam James
    (Canadian Actor)
  • Liam Aiken
    (American Actor)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Liam Neeson
    ("Taken," Film)
  • Liam Gallagher
    ("Oasis," Band)
  • Liam Dunbar
    ("Teen Wolf," TV Series)
  • Liam Court
    ("90210," TV Series)
  • Liam Hemsworth
    ("The Hunger Games," Film Series)

Places

  • None

What Is the Meaning of Liam?

Liam translates to “strong-willed warrior” and “protector,” derived from the Irish name Uilliam, a form of William​​. The name combines Old German elements “willa” (will/resolution) and “helma” (helmet), resulting in interpretations such as “helmet of will” and “guardian”

What Is the Origin of The Name Liam?

The name Liam has Irish origins, derived from the Old Irish name Uilliam, which is the Irish form of William. It became widely used as a given name in Ireland and has gained international popularity in recent decades.

Liam Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Liam in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#12022#12023
Top 3 Rankings#12017#12018#12019

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Liam

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
20231
No change from 2022
20802
(+269 from 2022)
1.13601
20221
No change from 2021
20533
(+142 from 2021)
1.09628
20211
No change from 2020
20391
(+549 from 2020)
1.08833
20201
No change from 2019
19842
(-769 from 2019)
1.07273
20191
No change from 2018
20611
(+645 from 2018)
1.07250
20181
No change from 2017
19966
(+1111 from 2017)
1.02719
20171
(+1 from 2016)
18855
(+588 from 2016)
0.95270
20162
No change from 2015
18267
(-139 from 2015)
0.90179
20152
No change from 2014
18406
(-74 from 2014)
0.90030
20142
(+1 from 2013)
18480
(+327 from 2013)
0.90181
20133
(+3 from 2012)
18153
(+1332 from 2012)
0.89835
20126
(+9 from 2011)
16821
(+3372 from 2011)
0.82896
201115
(+15 from 2010)
13449
(+2518 from 2010)
0.66205
201030
(+19 from 2009)
10931
(+2365 from 2009)
0.53207
200949
(+26 from 2008)
8566
(+2586 from 2008)
0.40388
200875
(+14 from 2007)
5980
(+839 from 2007)
0.27426
200789
(+9 from 2006)
5141
(+627 from 2006)
0.23209
200698
(+6 from 2005)
4514
(+362 from 2005)
0.20590
2005104
(+8 from 2004)
4152
(+325 from 2004)
0.19517
2004112
(+2 from 2003)
3827
(+262 from 2003)
0.18109
2003114
(-1 from 2002)
3565
(+183 from 2002)
0.16967
2002113
(+18 from 2001)
3382
(+353 from 2001)
0.16365
2001131
(+9 from 2000)
3029
(+248 from 2000)
0.14644
2000140
(+1 from 1999)
2781
(+73 from 1999)
0.13317
1999141
(+14 from 1998)
2708
(+499 from 1998)
0.13281
1998155
(+7 from 1997)
2209
(+97 from 1997)
0.10894
1997162
(+22 from 1996)
2112
(+365 from 1996)
0.10572
1996184
(+55 from 1995)
1747
(+541 from 1995)
0.08719
1995239
(+121 from 1994)
1206
(+538 from 1994)
0.05996
1994360
(+154 from 1993)
668
(+268 from 1993)
0.03277
1993514
(+76 from 1992)
400
(+96 from 1992)
0.01937
1992590
(+30 from 1991)
304
(+34 from 1991)
0.01448
1991620
(-18 from 1990)
270
(-7 from 1990)
0.01274
1990602
(+66 from 1989)
277
(+53 from 1989)
0.01287
1989668
(+45 from 1988)
224
(+52 from 1988)
0.01069
1988713
(+39 from 1987)
172
(+25 from 1987)
0.00859
1987752
(-15 from 1986)
147
(-4 from 1986)
0.00754
1986737
(-16 from 1985)
151
(+1 from 1985)
0.00786
1985721
No change from 1984
150
(+4 from 1984)
0.00779
1984721
(-13 from 1983)
146
No change from 1983
0.00778
1983708
(-16 from 1982)
146
(-11 from 1982)
0.00783
1982692
(+92 from 1981)
157
(+34 from 1981)
0.00832
1981784
(+35 from 1980)
123
(+8 from 1980)
0.00660
1980819
(-25 from 1979)
115
(-4 from 1979)
0.00620
1979794
(+9 from 1978)
119
(+7 from 1978)
0.00664
1978803
(+60 from 1977)
112
(+15 from 1977)
0.00656
1977863
(+127 from 1976)
97
(+26 from 1976)
0.00567
1976990
(-80 from 1975)
71
(-10 from 1975)
0.00435
1975910
(+51 from 1974)
81
(+9 from 1974)
0.00499
1974961
(+77 from 1973)
72
(+11 from 1973)
0.00442
19731038
(-24 from 1972)
61
(-2 from 1972)
0.00378
19721014
(+43 from 1971)
63
(+4 from 1971)
0.00376
19711057
(+121 from 1970)
59
(+10 from 1970)
0.00325
19701178
(-57 from 1969)
49
(+1 from 1969)
0.00257
19691121
(-125 from 1968)
48
(-7 from 1968)
0.00262
1968996
(-65 from 1967)
55
(-5 from 1967)
0.00310
1967931
(+141 from 1966)
60
(+13 from 1966)
0.00337
19661072
(+199 from 1965)
47
(+11 from 1965)
0.00259
19651271
(-8 from 1964)
36
(-2 from 1964)
0.00190
19641263
(-88 from 1963)
38
(-5 from 1963)
0.00187
19631175
(+451 from 1962)
43
(+19 from 1962)
0.00208
19621626
(-77 from 1961)
24
(-3 from 1961)
0.00114
19611549
(+110 from 1960)
27
(+3 from 1960)
0.00125
19601659
(+316 from 1959)
24
(+7 from 1959)
0.00111
19591975
(-383 from 1958)
17
(-7 from 1958)
0.00078
19581592
(-104 from 1957)
24
(-4 from 1957)
0.00111
19571488
(+395 from 1956)
28
(+10 from 1956)
0.00128
19561883
(+420 from 1955)
18
(+6 from 1955)
0.00084
19552303
(+639 from 1954)
12
(+4 from 1954)
0.00057
19542942
(-504 from 1950)
8
(-2 from 1950)
0.00039
19530
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19520
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19510
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19502438
(+1295 from 1947)
10
(+5 from 1947)
0.00055
19490
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19480
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19473733
First SSA data recorded
5
First SSA data recorded
0.00027
19460
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19450
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19440
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19430
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19420
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19410
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19400
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19390
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19380
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19370
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19360
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19350
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19340
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19330
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19320
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19310
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19300
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19290
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19280
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19270
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19260
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19250
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19240
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19230
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19220
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19210
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19200
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19190
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19180
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19170
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19160
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19150
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19140
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19130
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19120
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19110
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19100
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19090
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19080
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19070
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19060
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19050
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19040
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19030
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19020
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19010
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19000
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18990
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18980
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18970
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18960
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18950
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18940
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18930
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18920
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18910
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18900
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18890
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18880
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18870
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18860
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18850
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18830
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Liam

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#22021#12022#22023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#12021#12022#12023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#12021#12022#12023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#12021#12022#12023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#22021#12022#22023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#22021#22022#22023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#22021#22022#32023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#12021#12022#12023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#12021#12022#12023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#22021#22022#22023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#12021#12022#12023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#32021#52022#52023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#22021#22022#12023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#12021#22022#22023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#12021#22022#12023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#12021#12022#12023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#12021#12022#12023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#12021#22022#12023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#32021#42022#32023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#22021#12022#12023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#42021#32022#42023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#42021#42022#42023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#22021#12022#22023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#22021#22022#12023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#12021#12022#12023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#12021#12022#12023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#22021#22022#22023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#32021#22022#32023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#12021#12022#12023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#22021#22022#42023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#12021#12022#12023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#62021#52022#62023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#12021#12022#12023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#12021#42022#12023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#32021#32022#22023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#22021#22022#22023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#22021#12022#12023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#12021#52022#102023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#32021#82022#112023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#72021#92022#222023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#62021#72022#62023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#12021#12022#22023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#32021#22022#22023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#22021#12022#22023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#22021#82022#92023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#32021#22022#12023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#72021#52022#62023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#52021#32022#12023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#22021#112022#132023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#152021#72022#132023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#22021#282022#52023

Popularity Rankings for Liam in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#12021#12022#22023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#12020#52021#32022

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#22021#22022#42023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#32021#22022#42023

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#82021#22022#22023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#22020#22021#22022

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#52020#42021#32022

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#932015#122021#62023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#62021#82022#82023

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#82021#72022#82023

Popularity in Philippines

Philippines flagPhilippines#82022

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#152021#152022#92023

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#102021#152022#152023

Popularity in Catalonia, Spain

Catalonia, Spain flagCatalonia, Spain#122020#112021#132022

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#122020#132021#112022

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#122021#212022#172023

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#332019#242020#142021

Popularity in Galicia, Spain

Galicia, Spain flagGalicia, Spain#262020#342021#192022

Popularity in Denmark

Denmark flagDenmark#232021#252022#25First half of 2023

Popularity in Spain

Spain flagSpain#272020#292021#232022

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#322020#332021#232022

Popularity in Uruguay

Uruguay flagUruguay#572021#452022#272023

Popularity in Croatia

Croatia flagCroatia#422021#352022#332023

Popularity in Italy

Italy flagItaly#452020#382021#332022

Popularity in Basque Country, Spain

Basque Country, Spain flagBasque Country, Spain#352020#382021#402022

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#602020#372021

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#442021#442022#462023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#452021#622022#522023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#742019#792020#862021

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#1262021#1302022#902023

Popularity in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina flagBosnia and Herzegovina#932021

Popularity in Greenland

Greenland flagGreenland#1062019#1362020#1612021

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#1892021

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Liam a Name for Boys or Girls?

Liam is a name for boys. It has been widely used for males due to its origins and association with historical and literary male figures, highlighting its masculine and robust nature.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Liam

Liam in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Liam Neeson (Actor, born 1952): An Irish actor acclaimed for his roles in "Schindler's List" and the "Taken" series.
  • Liam Hemsworth (Actor, born 1990): An Australian actor recognized for his portrayal of Gale Hawthorne in "The Hunger Games" series.
  • Liam Payne (Singer, born 1993): An English singer and former member of the boy band One Direction.
  • Liam Cunningham (Actor, born 1961): An Irish actor celebrated for his role as Davos Seaworth in "Game of Thrones."
  • Liam Gallagher (Musician, born 1972): An English musician and the lead singer of the rock band Oasis.
  • Liam James (Actor, born 1996): A Canadian actor known for his roles in "The Killing" and "The Way Way Back."
  • Liam Aiken (Actor, born 1990): An American actor notable for his role in "A Series of Unfortunate Events."
  • Liam McIntyre (Actor, born 1982): An Australian actor prominent for his role in the TV series "Spartacus."
  • Liam Ridgewell (Footballer, born 1984): An English professional footballer with a career in the Premier League and MLS.
  • Liam Brady (Footballer, born 1956): An Irish footballer and manager celebrated for his successful career with Arsenal and the Irish national team.
  • Liam Neeson ("Taken," 2008 Film): An actor known for his role as Bryan Mills, a retired CIA operative who uses his skills to rescue his kidnapped daughter.
  • Liam Gallagher ("Oasis," 1991 Band): The lead vocalist of the iconic British rock band Oasis, known for his distinctive singing style and outspoken personality.
  • Liam Dunbar ("Teen Wolf," 2011 TV Series): A young werewolf who joins Scott McCall's pack and struggles with his newfound abilities.
  • Liam Court ("90210," 2008 TV Series): A student at West Beverly Hills High who navigates relationships and personal challenges.
  • Liam Hemsworth ("The Hunger Games," 2012 Film Series): An actor who plays Gale Hawthorne, a close friend and confidant of the protagonist, Katniss Everdeen.
  • Liam Devlin ("The Eagle Has Landed," 1976 Film): A character who is an IRA operative and German spy during World War II.
  • Liam ("Nashville," 2012 TV Series): A music producer who works with the main characters in the series, adding drama and intrigue to their lives.
  • Liam O'Connor ("Quantico," 2015 TV Series): An FBI agent who becomes entangled in the complex lives of the new recruits.
  • Liam Price ("Love, Rosie," 2014 Film): A charming and supportive character who is a part of Rosie's life journey.
  • Liam Ridley ("Dynasty," 2017 TV Series): A journalist and love interest of Fallon Carrington, bringing both romance and conflict to the storyline.
  • None

Similar Names to Liam

Sibling Names for Liam

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Liam is a name with strong roots and growing popularity. Share your thoughts in the comments and explore other names on my website! Thank for your reading!
Helen Doanna

Helen Doanna

Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

Expertise

Child Development Specialist, Child-care Coordinator, Family Support Specialist, Content Writer, Communications Specialist, Educational Consultant, STEAM Teacher

Education

1. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Literature and Journalism
  • Focus: In-depth knowledge of Literature, knowledge and skills to perceive, create literature or work in related fields; Basic knowledge of communications.

2. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Education Faculty
  • Focus: Core knowledge of social sciences and humanities – the root for the development of progressive values of education, Multicultural communication in education, Contemporary education in the context of globalization, Learning in the digital technology era, Basic issues of STEAM education, Classroom Management, Special education.

3. Oregon State University, Oregan, US

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Human Development and Family Sciences – Child Development
  • Focus: Different stages of development, from infancy to adulthood; Develop a strong foundation for a career in early childhood programs or classrooms; Learn strategies for supporting young children’s development in early childhood settings.
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Helen is an experienced educational specialist and content creator, known for her innovative approach to children’s learning. With a background in literature and child development, she composes engaging educational content for SimpleKids.net. Her work emphasizes creativity, engagement, and simplicity, aiming to make learning enjoyable and accessible for children and their families.

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