William

William is a monumental Germanic classic meaning 'resolute protector,' borne by conquerors, presidents, and princes, with a wealth of friendly nicknames.

What Does the Name William Mean?

William comes from the Germanic Willahelm, combining 'wil' (will, desire) and 'helm' (helmet, protection). Together the elements mean 'resolute protector' or 'strong-willed warrior.' It is the parent name behind the popular Irish short form Liam.

Personality & Traits

William projects strength, tradition, and trustworthiness while remaining approachable. Its many nicknames let it flex from formal to casual with ease. Parents often choose it as a dependable classic that carries dignity without pretension.

Nicknames & Variations

Common nicknames include Will, Bill, Billy, Liam, and Wills. International forms include the German Wilhelm, the Dutch Willem, the French Guillaume, and the Spanish Guillermo. Liam has grown so popular that it now often outranks William itself.

Is William a Good Name in 2026?

William has stayed in the US top ten or twenty boys' names for well over a century, a rare mark of stability. It offers timeless prestige, a meaningful history, and one of the widest nickname ranges of any name. It is classic rather than trendy, so it rarely feels dated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is William a boy or girl name?

William is a boys' name.

What does the name William mean?

William means 'resolute protector' or 'strong-willed warrior,' from Germanic roots meaning will and protection.

Where does the name William come from?

William is Germanic in origin and became established in England after William the Conqueror in 1066.

Is William a popular name?

Yes. William has been one of the most consistently popular US boys' names for over a century.

Is the name William rising or falling in popularity?

According to U.S. Social Security Administration birth data (rank among all American baby names, boys and girls combined), William is down from #8 in 2019 to #17 in 2024 — and its best year on record is 2018, at #6.

The origin & history of William

William descends from the Proto-Germanic *Wiljahelmaz, combining *wiljô ("will, wish, desire") and *helmaz ("helm, helmet"). The English form is a back-borrowing from Old Norman Williame, itself a reflex of Medieval Latin Willelmus, transmitted to England after the Norman Conquest of the 11th century; it is related to the German Wilhelm and the Old Norse Vilhjalmr.

Notable people named William

William Shakespeare — English playwright and poet (c. 1564–1616), widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language, with an extant body of work of around 39 plays and 154 sonnets.

Source: Wikipedia: William Shakespeare

William, Prince of Wales — British royal (b. 1982), elder son of King Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales, who was created Prince of Wales by his father on 9 September 2022, the day after Queen Elizabeth II's death.

Source: Wikipedia: William, Prince of Wales

Popularity of the name William in the US

1980 · 25,854 babies · rank #18 (216 girls, 25,638 boys)