Wilhelm
Wilhelm is a boys' name of German origin meaning “resolute protector.”
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how do you pronounce Wilhelm?
VIL-helm
where does the name Wilhelm come from?
The German form of William, from the Germanic wil, will, and helm, helmet or protection.
The original Germanic form of William, Wilhelm was the name of two German emperors and has been one of the most important names in German history. It carries imperial weight and scholarly distinction, from Wilhelm Grimm to Wilhelm Röntgen.
how popular is this name?
Wilhelm has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 10 years since 1880, and fell outside it for 13. It peaked at #765 in 1885, and ranked #862 in 1902.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 1902 | #862 |
| 1894 | #954 |
| 1890 | #994 |
| 1885 | #765 |
| 1880 | #809 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Wilhelm fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Wilhelm
The feminine form is Wilhelmine; bearers include the German emperors Wilhelm I and II and the folklorist Wilhelm Grimm.
who are famous people named Wilhelm?
- Wilhelm Grimm (folklorist, co-author of Grimm's Fairy Tales)
- Wilhelm Röntgen (discoverer of X-rays)
what are the nicknames and variants of Wilhelm?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Wilhelm?
what names go well with Wilhelm?
Sibling names that share Wilhelm's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Wilhelm
What does the name Wilhelm mean?
Wilhelm means “resolute protector”.
What is the origin of the name Wilhelm?
Wilhelm comes from the German naming tradition. Related forms include William.
How popular is the name Wilhelm?
Wilhelm ranked #862 in the US in 1902, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1885, at #765, and it has spent 10 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Wilhelm a boy or girl name?
Wilhelm is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Wilhelm?
Wilhelm is pronounced VIL-helm, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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