"resolute protector, strong-willed guardian"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
William
Pronunciation: [ w-IHLY-uhm ]
Does William flow with your last name?
From the Conqueror to Shakespeare to a future king
English
German
French
Royal
Classic
Traditional
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"determined helmet-wearer, warrior protector"
Origin: Old High German
Language: German
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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.
Historical Record
William first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 2,173,942 babies have been named William in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, William is past its peak , currently ranked #10 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#10
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2011
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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
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Compare William with:
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
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Will
Bill
Billy
Willy
Liam
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for William
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
William is also used as a girl name, ranked #13673.
View William as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like William →Compare William with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with William
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English patronymic surname origin
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Old French origin
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Irish Gaelic origin
"Little fire; born of fire"
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Ryder
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Old English origin
"horseman, knight"
#134 in US
Anthony
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Roman origin
"from the Antonius Roman family"
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Greek (Milos) origin
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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.
What boy names are similar to William?
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.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis