Origin and Meaning of William

Strong-willed warrior or protector

Origin: Germanic - Derived from the Old High German name 'Willahelm', which is composed of the elements 'wil' (will or desire) and 'helm' (helmet or protection).

• William has been a royal name in England since the Norman Conquest and is associated with several kings, including William the Conqueror.
• The name William is popular in many English-speaking countries and is often shortened to various nicknames such as Will, Bill, or Billy.
• Notable bearers of the name include William Shakespeare, the famous playwright and poet, and William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania.
• In the United States, William has consistently been a top-ranking name for boys, remaining in the top 20 for over a century.
• Variations of William include Guillaume (French), Guillermo (Spanish), and Wilhelm (German), among others.