Billie
Say it: BIL-ee
GirlMeans a pet form of William6 letters2 syllables
#186
in Ireland (2025)
#189 with spellings combined
24
babies in 2025
#189
best rank (2025)
235
babies since 1979
Up 397
10-year rank change
Billie through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (girls) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 24 | #189 |
| 2024 | 23 | #193 |
| 2023 | 24 | #190 |
| 2022 | 21 | #214 |
| 2021 | 18 | #252 |
| 2020 | 14 | #292 |
| 2019 | 13 | #322 |
| 2018 | 13 | #333 |
| 2017 | 10 | #399 |
| 2016 | 8 | #479 |
| 2015 | 6 | #586 |
| 2014 | 3 | #869 |
| 2013 | 5 | #664 |
| 2012 | 7 | #562 |
| 2009 | 6 | #583 |
| 2007 | 5 | #624 |
| 2004 | 5 | #511 |
| 2001 | 4 | #498 |
| 1998 | 4 | #426 |
| 1996 | 7 | #356 |
| 1995 | 3 | #516 |
| 1992 | 3 | #522 |
| 1991 | 3 | #515 |
| 1987 | 3 | #488 |
| 1979 | 3 | #523 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Billie mean?
A pet form of William
English, from Bill, a short form of William, with the small ending -ie.
Say it right
BILee
The story of Billie
Billie started as a pet form of William, by way of the short form Bill. It was once used for boys and girls alike, and sometimes as a nickname for unrelated names such as Lillian. Today the spelling Billie is mostly given to girls, while Billy is the usual spelling for boys.
Well-known bearers include the jazz singer Billie Holiday and the singer Billie Eilish.
In Ireland Billie first appears in the CSO records in 1979, with 3 girls, and it stayed very rare for decades. It has grown steadily since the late 2010s, with 24 babies in 2023. It reached its best rank in 2025, number 186, again with 24 girls. The CSO counts Billie and Billy separately, and lists girls and boys apart.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Billie (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Billie (given name)
- CSO VSA60, Girls Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, First Forenames Given to Babies Registered in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Billie | 24 | 235 |
In Northern Ireland
#397 in 2025 with 3 babies. Best rank #178 (2023); 85 babies since 1998.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.