Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “Billy” come from?

Billy is an English diminutive of William, which derives from Anglo-Norman Willame.

Ancestry of “Billy”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishBill—
2Middle Englishbill—
3Old Englishbila kind of sword or other bladed weapon,...
4Frankishbilli—
5Proto-Germanicbiljąa cutting implement; blade; axe; sword; spike;...
6Proto-Germanicharjazarmy; army leader; commander; warrior
7Proto-Indo-Europeankóryoswar; troops; army; war, troops
8Proto-Indo-Europeanḱer-to grow, to make grow, to nourish; to plait,...
9Proto-Indo-Europeankr̥-to turn, to bend
10Proto-Indo-Europeanker-army

Words derived from “Billy”

  • billy
  • hillbilly
  • Billygate
  • hillbillyish
  • Billyish
  • hillbillylike
  • Billyjean
  • billy cart
  • billy goat
  • Billy
  • Billy
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ker- →