William

William has been among the most enduring of classics, currently standing at a solid Number 3. In the last year, the name has been chosen by more than 17,000 American parents as being ideally conservative yet contemporary. For 400 years, William has been second only to John as the most popular name in the English-speaking world. And now of course it's also a newsy name, thanks to Britain's high-profile Prince William.

In terms of short forms, yesterday's Bills and Billys have given way to today's Wills -- or Williams, with no diminutive--though a few hip Billys, including Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Burton's, have surfaced recently. But Will, sometimes used on its own, is still the most stylish William nickname.

The name was introduced to England by William the Conqueror, and has long reigned as a royal name in the UK. There are tons of worthy namesakes called William, including William Shakespeare, Bill Gates, Will Smith, and four US presidents.