Origin and Meaning of Wlliam

Resolute protector

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

• William has been a royal name throughout history, with numerous kings and rulers bearing the name, including William the Conqueror.
• The name is widely used in English-speaking countries and has equivalents in many other languages, such as Guillaume (French), Guillermo (Spanish), and Guglielmo (Italian).
• Notable bearers include William Shakespeare, a prominent playwright and poet of the Renaissance, and William Wordsworth, a major English Romantic poet.
• William has consistently ranked as one of the most popular names for boys in the United States and many other countries, with a peak popularity in the early 2000s.
• Variations of the name include Will, Bill, Billy, and Willy, among others, which are frequently used as nicknames or given names.