NamesBoy namesWilliam

William

A boy's name meaning resolute protector, helmet of will.

Approved in Portugal. William is on the official IRN list of names you can register. 192 births registered in 2014–2017.

Origin

Of Germanic origin, from the name Willahelm, formed from the elements willio ("will") and helm ("helmet, protection").

Story

The Normans spread the name, which became extremely common in England after William the Conqueror, the first Norman king in the 11th century. From then on it stayed among the most given English names, alongside John, Thomas and Robert, and was borne by kings and by figures such as William Shakespeare. The Portuguese form is Guilherme, and the diminutive Liam has at times overtaken it in popularity.

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Sources & references