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National Billy Day – February 25, 2024

We celebrate National Billy Day annually on February 25. Billy is a forename mostly given to boys. It has English roots and is said to mean ‘resolute protector.’ Billy is a name that implies giving up what one wants so that others might have what they require. It implies that your personality is stable and balanced. Frequently, you volunteer to help with civic projects and shoulder a fair share of the responsibilities. Today we celebrate the lives, personalities, and achievements of people named Billy.

History of National Billy Day

In the U.S., more than 1,648 newborns were given the forename Billy in 1987. The name recorded its highest use in the years between 1880 and 2018, 1934 being the standout with over 9,559 newborn Billys. Within that same period, the name was recorded more than 388,026 times in the Social Security Administration (S.S.A.) database. The name was initially given to seven newborns in the year 1880. It reached position 90 on the national popularity list in 1922 and was recorded 2,029 times for newborn boys.

In 1929, Billy became a prominent male name in the U.S. State of Oklahoma, ranking second with 920 infants. The all-time high for this name was 1,845 infant boys, in Texas, in 1930. From 1919 through 1993, Billy was consistently the top-ranking name for boys in West Virginia for over 75 years. It has also been popular in states such as Arkansas.

The name Billy has been reported 43,720 times in the S.S.A. database over the last four decades, from 1979 to 2018. Billy Joel, an American musician, Billy the Kid, an American Old West gunfighting outlaw, and Billy Baldwin, an American Major League Baseball outfielder are all prominent Billys in the U.S. The female version of the name is Billie. Notable bearers include American jazz and swing singer Billie Holiday and singer-songwriter Billie Eilish. On National Billy Day, we celebrate the achievements of people named Billy in the U.S and all over the world.

National Billy Day timeline

1859
Billy the Kid is Born

The infamous Western outlaw — Billy the Kid is born with the given name Henry McCarty.

1915
Billie Holiday is Born

Jazz singer Billie Holiday is born Eleanora Fagan on April 7.

1987
The Name’s Popularity in the U.S.

More than 1,648 newborns are named Billy in the U.S.

2001
Billie Eilish Is Born

Popular American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish is born on December 18.

2020
Billie Eilish Wins Big at the Grammys

Eilish wins awards for Best New Artist, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, and Record of the Year.

National Billy Day FAQs

What does Billy mean in Australia?

In Australia, billy is used to describe a metal container commonly used to boil water, cook meals, or make tea over a fire.

What does Billy mean in Scotland?

In Scotland, a billy is the name given to heavy wooden clubs, cudgels, or sticks often used as a weapon.

Why is Billy a nickname for William?

The earliest recorded use of Billy as a nickname for William comes from the late 1600s when King William III of England was nicknamed ‘King Billy’ by Irishmen for being a Protestant conqueror.

National Billy Day Activities

  1. Celebrate friends named Billy

    If you know anyone named Billy, do something special for them on their name day. You can take them out to dinner or buy them a gift.

  2. Share on social media

    If you’re a Billy, celebrate your special day by sharing posts on social media. Publish fun facts about your name and get other Billys to join the fun.

  3. Talk to your parents about your name

    This holiday is an excellent opportunity for you to find out what inspired your name. Ask your parents why they chose this name for you.

5 Interesting Facts About Popular Billys

  1. The award-winning musician

    Billie Eilish has two Guinness World Records, seven Grammys, three M.T.V. Video Music Awards, three Brit Awards, two American Music Awards, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award to her name.

  2. The ever emerging talent

    Eilish holds the record for the youngest artist to win Record of the Year, Best New Artist, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year in the same year.

  3. The tribute to greatness

    Since she died in 1959, Billie Holiday has won four Grammys for Best Historical Album.

  4. The genesis of an outlaw

    In 1875, a 16-year-old Billy the Kid got his first brush with the law for stealing food.

  5. The overlooked performer

    Billy Joel only has five Grammys to his name, despite being nominated 23 times.

Why We Love National Billy Day

  1. We all deserve to celebrate

    Name days are like a second birthday every year. It’s an opportunity to gather around the table with friends and family and share memorable moments.

  2. Billys get to meet other Billys

    As you celebrate Billy Day, you might meet a few namesakes along the way. You could even start a friendship that lasts for a lifetime.

  3. Inspiration from past generations

    Name days open a portal to the past and allow us to explore the accomplishments of those who bore the name before us. It serves as inspiration for new generations to go on to do even greater exploits.

National Billy Day dates

YearDateDay
2024February 25Sunday
2025February 25Tuesday
2026February 25Wednesday
2027February 25Thursday
2028February 25Friday

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