Updated February 20, 2024

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Boy name origins & meanings

William baby name

  • Spanish : Resolute, protector
  • Teutonic : Valiant protector

The name William is one of the most popular boys names of all time and is of Germanic origin. The name was first introduced to England by William the Conqueror. It is a compound of two words, "wil" meaning "will or desire" and "helm" meaning "helmet, protection". 

Syllables: 2

Boy name variations

Guillermo

Guillermo

- 4% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Guillaume

Guillaume

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Guilherme

Guilherme

- 30% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Gillermo

Gillermo

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Gughilmo

Gughilmo

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Gwillyn

Gwillyn

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Gwilym

Gwilym

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Wil

Wil

+ 50% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Will

Will

- 12% this year
Neutral
Rare
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Willem

Willem

- 28% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Wilhelm

Wilhelm

+ 32% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Wilmos

Wilmos

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Wilmot

Wilmot

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Wilson

Wilson

+ 5% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Williams

Williams

- 13% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Williamson

Williamson

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Wills

Wills

- 58% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Willie

Willie

+ 8% this year
Neutral
Rare
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Willy

Willy

0 % this year
Neutral
Rare
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Wiley

Wiley

- 7% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Wyley

Wyley

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Wilkie

Wilkie

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Willkie

Willkie

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Wilkes

Wilkes

- 19% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Wylkes

Wylkes

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Willis

Willis

- 29% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Wilton

Wilton

- 5% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Wilmer

Wilmer

+ 3% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Wilmar

Wilmar

+ 22% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Winton

Winton

+ 20% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Willard

Willard

+ 48% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Wilford

Wilford

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Vilhelm

Vilhelm

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Vilem

Vilem

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Viliam

Viliam

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Vasili

Vasili

+ 80% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Vasily

Vasily

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Uilleam

Uilleam

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Uilliam

Uilliam

- 29% this year
Masculine
Rare
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How Popular Is The Name William

Family name origins & meanings

  • English : from the Norman form of an Old French personal name composed of the Germanic elements wil ‘will’, ‘desire’ + helm ‘helmet’, ‘protection’. This was introduced into England at the time of the Conquest, and within a very short period it became the most popular personal name in England, mainly no doubt in honor of the Conqueror himself.

Famous people with this first name

Popularity

According to Social Security Administration data, William has remained in the number three position for three years in a row, after remaining in the number five position for four years in a row. It has been in the top 10 names since 2001. Its nickname Liam, has become quite the popular name in its own right.

However, it is the 47th most popular name on FamilyEducation.com.

According to Google search data analysis, in the last five years William was at its peak popularity in April 2019.

The name William has been one of the most popular baby boys names for centuries. In fact, it first became popular in 1066 with the Norman conquest of England. It is one of the most popular classic names to ever exist. The number one name for boys, Liam, is actually a shortened version of William. Its popularity can be attributed to many notable Williams throughout time including William Shakespeare, Britain’s Prince William, Bill Clinton, William Faulkner, Bill Gates, and many more.

Where is it Popular?

William was searched for most often in the following states:

Nicknames for William

  • Bill
  • Liam
  • Will
  • Willy

Pairs well with these middle names