William
PopularA boy's name meaning resolute protector, helmet of will.
Approved in Estados Unidos. William is on the official SSA list of names you can register. In the national top 20 of 2025.
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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Get startedSources & references
- Baby Names from Social Security Card Applications · SSA · ssa.gov (approved-name list & birth statistics)
- Behind the Name · William
- Wiktionary · William