William
William is a classic Germanic name meaning 'resolute protector' or 'strong-willed warrior,' derived from the elements 'wil' (will, desire) and 'helm' (helmet, protection). It was brought to England by William the Conqueror in 1066 and has remained a royal and distinguished name ever since.
Current Popularity
#10 for boys
in the United States (2024)
Popularity over time
Good to Know
- •Consistently ranked among the top names for over a century
- •Easy to spell and pronounce across many languages
- •Strong royal and historical associations give it gravitas
- •Multiple nickname options allow for personality expression
- •Very popular - your child may share this name with classmates
- •Multiple spelling variations exist
Similar Names
Famous People
William Shakespeare
Playwright and poet
Prince William
Prince of Wales
William Faulkner
Nobel Prize-winning author
Bill Gates
Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist
Statistics
4,189,004
Total births since 1880
1947
Peak year
Discovery
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