Baby Names Boy Names Liam Name Meaning Learn more about the meaning, origin, and popularity of the name Liam. By Alex Vance Published on May 10, 2024 Fact checked by Sarah Scott Close Liam is an Irish name meaning "strong-willed warrior" and "protector." It's a shortened version of the Irish name Uilliam (which came from the Frankish name Willahelm) meaning "helmet of will." Liam is also a fun, modernized alternative to the traditional boy name William. Origin: Liam is an Irish name meaning "strong-willed warrior" and "protector." It is the shortened version of the Irish name Uilliam, meaning "helmet of will." Gender: Liam has traditionally been used for baby boys. Pronunciation: li-am Editor's Note Although many baby names are separated by gender, Parents believes that gender does not need to play a role in your name selection process. It’s important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best. How Popular Is the Name Liam? The name Liam has been one of the fastest-rising Irish names in the United States. Its popularity seemed to explode in the mid to late 2000s when the Social Security Administration showed its drastic jump from the No. 75 spot in 2008 to No. 15 in 2011. Around this time, the massively popular movie franchise, Taken, debuted, starring Irish actor Liam Neeson. This undoubtedly contributed to the name's sudden popularity in the US. Actor Liam Hemsworth may have also played a role after his debut in the 2012 movie The Hunger Games, based on the popular novels by Suzanne Collins. Liam became the No. 2 most popular name given to boys in 2014, staying there until its victorious transition to No. 1 in 2017. Since then, it has remained the most popular boy name in the United States—but its newfound fame doesn't stop there. Parents around the world have started to recognize the appeal of Liam, including those in Germany, Spain, Sweden, Belgium, and Switzerland. Getty Images / Mireya Acierto Name Variations Variants of the name Liam include: Lyam (German) William (German) Lliam (Irish) Similar Names Other popular names for those who like Liam include: Lucas Logan Carter Oliver Elijah Levi Noah Aiden Ethan Mason Grayson Owen Oliver Other Irish boy names include: FinnRoryKieranDeclanFlynnBrodyCillianQuinnAidanKeaganCullenMurphyMack Other boy names that start with "L" include: LandonLucasLeeLennonLaytonLelandLegendLennoxLukeLincolnLeoLaneLorenzo Suggested Sibling Names Ethan Emma Olivia Lily Sophia Lillian Laura Aden Owen Jack Connor Chloe Ava Famous People Named Liam The popularity of Liam was inspired mainly by these pop culture celebrities: Liam Gallagher, English lead singer of the '90s rock band OasisLiam Payne, English singer and member of the former boy band One DirectionLiam Neeson, Irish actor, known for his roles in Schindler's List and the Taken franchiseLiam Hemsworth, Australian actor, known for starring in The Last Song and The Hunger Games franchise More Baby Names Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options: Top 1,000 Baby Boy Names 100 Celtic Baby Names How To Create a Unique Baby Name Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Parents uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Top 10 Baby Names of 2022. Social Security Administration. 2023.