A given name, traditionally masculine but now used for any gender, often as a diminutive of William or as an independent name.
Originally a nickname for William, from Middle English, derived from Germanic Wilhelm (wil "desire" + helm "helmet/protection"). The name evolved from a masculine diminutive to a gender-neutral name by the 20th century.
Billie represents one of the most successful gender-neutral name transitions in English, famously borne by jazz legend Billie Holiday and modern pop star Billie Eilish. The name's journey from "little warrior" to unisex identity marker reflects broader cultural shifts toward gender flexibility in naming conventions.
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