William

What is the meaning of the name William?

The name William is primarily a male name of English origin that means Will, Desire And Helmet, Protection.

The name William originally appeared in Old Germanic as "Willahelm," which later evolved into "Wilhelm" in Middle High German.

The name William became popular in England after the Norman Conquest in 1066 when William the Conqueror became king of England. The name quickly spread throughout Europe and eventually became one of the most common names in the English-speaking world.

Common nicknames for the name William include Will, Willie, Bill, Billy, and Liam. William has been historically abbreviated as Wm.

Over time, the name has been associated with many notable figures, including kings, writers, and politicians, and its popularity has remained strong throughout history.

Five famous people named William include:

William Shakespeare - an English playwright, poet, and actor known for his works such as "Hamlet," "Romeo and Juliet," and "Macbeth."

William Wallace - a Scottish knight who led a resistance against English rule in the 13th century.

William Faulkner - an American writer known for his novels and short stories set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi.

William McKinley - the 25th president of the United States who served from 1897 until his assassination in 1901.

William Henry Gates III (Bill Gates) - an American entrepreneur and philanthropist who co-founded Microsoft Corporation and is one of the world's wealthiest people.

Five fictional characters named William include:

William Turner (Will) - a character from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie franchise, played by actor Orlando Bloom.

William Wallace (Will) - a character from the TV series "Outlander," based on the book series by Diana Gabaldon.

William Herondale (Will) - a character from the book series "The Infernal Devices" by Cassandra Clare.

William Cage (Bill) - a character from the movie "Edge of Tomorrow," played by actor Tom Cruise.

William Foster (D-Fens) - a character from the movie "Falling Down," played by actor Michael Douglas.

People who like the name William also like:

Oliver, Benjamin, Owen, Alexander, Samuel, Liam, Henry, Charlotte, Elizabeth, Violet, Olivia, Emma, Grace, Amelia

Names like William:

Wilona, Willem, Wilhelmina, Wilima, Willene, Waylon, Willamena, Wilano, Wilma, Wilhelm

Celebrity Babies with this Name:

William Cash Powell - son of Chris Powell and Heidi Powell , born 2011
William Neko Bell Guarini - son of Justin Guarini and Reina Capodici , born 2011
William 'Billy' Garraway Draper - son of Kate Garraway and Derek Draper , born 2009
Kian William Jarrahy - son of Geena Davis and Dr. Reza Jarrahy , born 2004
Riley William Fisher - son of Jordan Fisher and Ellie Fisher , born 2022

Stats for the Name William