Billie
Meaning of Billie
Billie began as a lively diminutive of William or Wilhelmina, migrating from the Scottish and English pet-name tradition into wider Anglo-American use, and over time it shed its purely nickname status to stand on its own. In the United States, its popularity arc resembles a gentle rollercoaster: it climbed briskly through the Jazz Age—no doubt helped by the smoky allure of singer Billie Holiday—settled into a mid-century plateau, and then drifted downward before a modest twenty-first-century rebound that now finds it hovering in the 500–700 range. Contemporary parents may also hear faint echoes of tennis legend Billie Jean King or the genre-blurring pop star Billie Eilish, both of whom lend the name an undercurrent of grit and creativity. Phonetically crisp at two quick beats—BIL-ee—the name feels friendly yet straightforward, avoiding frill while retaining a certain off-beat charm. That blend of familiarity, historic depth, and understated edge explains why Billie continues to appeal to families looking for something classic enough to recognize yet distinctive enough to stand apart.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as BIL-ee (/ˈbɪli/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Billie
| American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish rose to fame with her 2015 single "Ocean Eyes" and the successful 2017 EP "Don't Smile at Me." |
| Billie Holiday, nicknamed "Lady Day," was a pioneering American jazz singer renowned for her innovative vocal phrasing and improvisational skills. |
| Billie Catherine Lourd is an American actress renowned for her roles in Scream Queens, American Horror Story, and the Star Wars sequel trilogy, and she is Carrie Fisher's only child. |
| Billie Marten is a British singer-songwriter who rose to fame as a teenager via YouTube and has released five critically acclaimed folk albums. |
| Billie Pitcheneder - Norma Catherine Pitcheneder, famously known as "Auntie Billie," was a prolific fundraiser and dedicated community worker in Darwin, Australia. |
| Billie Seward was a 1930s actress from Philadelphia. |
| Billie Dean Letts was an American novelist and a professor at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. |
