What is Billy Joel's full birth name?

Billy Joel’s full birth name is William Martin Joel.

He was born on May 9, 1949, in the Bronx, New York City, and grew up mainly in the Levittown section of Hicksville on Long Island. “Billy” is his familiar professional name, not his birth name; his given first name is William and his middle name is Martin.

Joel began piano lessons as a child at his mother’s insistence and later pursued music after leaving high school. Before becoming a solo star, he played in groups including the Hassles and the duo Attila. His stage identity became closely associated with “Piano Man,” the nickname drawn from his 1973 breakthrough song.

A common mix-up is to assume that Joel’s middle name is Joseph or Howard. Howard was his father’s first name, while William Martin Joel is the name recorded in biographical references. Joel’s family background also connects to Europe: his father, born Helmut Joel, was from Germany, while his mother’s parents were English immigrants.