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William

/WIL-yəm/

William is a boy name of Germanic origin, meaning Resolute protector.

  • GenderBoy
  • OriginGermanic
  • StyleModern
  • Syllables2
  • US rank#5

What does William mean?

Resolute protector

From the Germanic elements wil, "will" or "desire", and helm, "helmet" or "protection". The sense is something like "determined guardian".

The story behind the name

William arrived in England in the most emphatic way possible, with William the Conqueror in 1066. Within a generation it was the single most common male name in England, and it stayed at or near the top for roughly eight hundred years - a run no other English name approaches.

Four more kings of England and one prince of Orange who became king of England, Scotland and Ireland reinforced it. Willem remains the Dutch royal name.

William has been in the American top twenty every single year since 1880, and the short forms it has thrown off - Will, Bill, Billy, Liam - have careers of their own.

Notable people named William

  • William the Conqueror
  • William Shakespeare, playwright
  • William Wilberforce, abolitionist
  • Prince William, Prince of Wales

How popular is William?

Popularity in the United States

William has been given to 4,159,868 babies in the United States since 1880, peaking in the 1950s. Its use has declined since that peak.

About 1 in 131 babies born in the United States were given this name in the most recent year on record.

033,57367,146188019502020
Babies named William per year in the United States, 1880–2020. Source: Social Security Administration

Popularity in France

William has been given to 78,403 babies in France since 1900, peaking in the 1990s. Its use has declined since that peak.

08011,602190019612022
Babies named William per year in France, 1900–2022. Source: INSEE

Popularity in Spain

There are 2,435 people called William living in Spain, with an average age of 41.5.

4,159,868 Babies named since 1880
1950s Peak decade
Falling Recent trend

Variants and related names

Other spellings: Willem, Wilhelm, Guillaume, Guillermo, Liam

Related names: Liam, Will, Bill, Willem, Wilhelmina

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Frequently asked questions about William

What does the name William mean?

William means Resolute protector. It is of Germanic origin.

Is William a boy's or a girl's name?

William is most often given to boys.

How do you pronounce William?

William is pronounced WIL-yəm.

How popular is the name William?

William has been given to 4,159,868 babies in the United States since 1880, peaking in the 1950s. Its use has declined since that peak.

What are other spellings of William?

Common variants include Willem, Wilhelm, Guillaume, Guillermo, Liam.