"resolute protector, strong-willed guardian"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
William
Pronunciation: [ w-IHLY-uhm ]
Boy Name
#10 Most Popular
Steady
3 Syllables
From the Conqueror to Shakespeare to a future king
English
German
French
Royal
Classic
Traditional
Strong
Meaning & Origin
"determined helmet-wearer, warrior protector"
Origin: Old High German
Language: German
The Story of William
William comes from the Germanic 'Willhelm,' composed of 'wil' (will, desire) and 'helm' (helmet, protection) — meaning strong-willed protector or resolute guardian. Brought to England by William the Conqueror in 1066, it became the dominant royal name in English history. Four kings of England were named William, and it has never once fallen out of the top 20 in England since the Norman Conquest.
William has been in the US top 5 for virtually every generation since record-keeping began. It received a significant boost from Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (now Prince of Wales), who has been one of the world's most photographed people since birth. The nickname Will gives it a relaxed, modern feel alongside the formal William.
William Shakespeare is arguably the greatest writer in the English language, giving the name towering literary prestige. Four English kings bore the name, beginning with William I (the Conqueror) in 1066. Prince William of Wales keeps it firmly at the center of British royal life today.
Fun Facts
- William Shakespeare is widely considered the greatest writer in the English language
- Four kings of England were named William, starting with William the Conqueror in 1066
- William has never fallen out of the top 25 boy's names in England since the Norman Conquest — nearly 1,000 years
William in Other Languages
Dutch
Willem
French
Guillaume
German
Wilhelm
Italian
Guglielmo
Spanish
Guillermo
Famous People Named William
P
Prince William
Royalty
1982
Prince of Wales, heir apparent to the British throne
B
Bill Gates
Business
1955
American business magnate and philanthropist who co-founded Microsoft
W
William Shakespeare
Writer
1564
English playwright and poet widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language
W
William Tell
Other
Swiss folk hero famous for shooting an apple off his son's head with a crossbow
W
Will Turner Fictional
Other
Romantic hero of the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #10
- Total SSA Count
- 10,596
- Cultural Origins
- English German French
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Will
Bill
Billy
Willy
Liam
Pairs Well With
William James
William Thomas
William Henry
William Alexander
William Edward
William Charles
William John
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
William is also used as a girl name, ranked #13673.
View William as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About William
What does the name William mean?
"resolute protector, strong-willed guardian" (from Germanic). "determined helmet-wearer, warrior protector" (from Old High German). William comes from the Germanic 'Willhelm,' composed of 'wil' (will, desire) and 'helm' (helmet, protection) — meaning strong-willed protector or resolute guardian. Brought to England by William the Conqueror in 1066, it became the dominant royal name in English history. Four kings of England were named William, and it has never once fallen out of the top 20 in England since the Norman Conquest.
What is the origin of the name William?
William has Germanic, Old High German, English, German, and French origins. In Germanic, it means "resolute protector, strong-willed guardian". In Old High German, it means "determined helmet-wearer, warrior protector".
Is William a boy or girl name?
William is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #10. As a girl name, it is ranked #13673. William is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce William?
William is pronounced w-IHLY-uhm.
How popular is the name William?
William is currently ranked #10 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for William?
Common nicknames for William include Will, Bill, Billy, Willy, and Liam.
What are good middle names for William?
Popular middle name pairings include William James, William Thomas, William Henry, William Alexander, William Edward, William Charles, and William John.
What are good sibling names for William?
Names that pair well with William as siblings include Charlotte, Eleanor, Amelia, Olivia, Henry, James, and Edward.
How many syllables does William have?
William has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is William a common or rare name?
William is a very popular name, ranked #10 among boy names in the United States.
About the Name William
William is a boy name with English, German, and French origins . The name means "resolute protector, strong-willed guardian" in Germanic .
Is William a boy or girl name? William is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #10 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #13,673. William is more commonly used as a boy name.
William is currently ranked #10 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name William has 3 syllables and is pronounced w-IHLY-uhm, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for William include Will, Bill, Billy, Willy, and Liam. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of William include Will, Willie, Williams, Willem, Willis . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.