Why “y” at the end? It’s a diminutive. It makes things cute. John becomes Johnny, but Michael becomes Mikey? See? Predictable chaos.
For William, the “y” stuck to “Bill,” not “Will.” So we got “Billy,” not “Willy.” (And thank goodness for that—“Willy” is a whole other conversation involving a golden compass and a stern British father). Billy feels like a friend who will help you steal a pie from a windowsill.
YARN | - No, stupid. Bill's short for William. | This Fool (2026
It’s a name that says, “I’m not taking myself too seriously.” That’s a superpower.
