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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Will joined with helmet, i.e. resolute protector
- Origin
- Germanic (Frankish, via Old French after the Norman Conquest)
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- WIL-yum
William combines "will" and "helmet" into a meaning of resolute protector, a name that's carried through English since the Norman Conquest brought it over from Old French, rooted further back in Frankish Germanic. Said WIL-yum, it has a bold, timeless, classic feel — a name with real staying power. If you're weighing it for a son, you're picking something with centuries of continuous use behind it.
Meaning & Origin of William
Meaning: Will joined with helmet, i.e. resolute protector.
Origin: Germanic (Frankish, via Old French after the Norman Conquest).
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce William
WIL-yumIPA /ˈwɪljəm/
Popularity of William
William ranked #2 back in 1880 with 9,532 babies given the name, and in 2024 it sits at #10 with 10,596 — so even after 144 years, it's still landing in the top ten.
Names Like William
These names share William’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name William mean?
Will joined with helmet, i.e. resolute protector. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce William?
William is pronounced WIL-yum (IPA: /ˈwɪljəm/).
Is William a popular name right now?
William peaked at #2 in 1880 and is ranked #10 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make William Name Art
Free printable nursery art for William, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is William? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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