William
William is a boys' name of German origin meaning “resolute protector, strong-willed warrior.” It ranked #9 in the United States in 2025. One of the most enduring names in English history, introduced to England by William the Conqueror in 1066.
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how do you pronounce William?
WIL-yum
where does the name William come from?
From the Germanic wil, meaning will or desire, joined to helm, meaning helmet or protection. The compound reads as resolute protector, and it is one of the clearest surviving examples of the Germanic habit of building names from two martial elements.
It has been borne by four British kings, multiple US presidents, and countless notable figures.
the history of William
William the Conqueror carried the name to England in 1066, and within a century it had become the most common male name in the country — at some points borne by a fifth of all recorded men. Four British kings, Shakespeare, and more recently Prince William have kept it in view, and it has not left the American top twenty since 1900, bottoming out at exactly twentieth in the 1990s before climbing again.
who are famous people named William?
- Prince William (Duke of Wales)
- William Shakespeare (playwright)
- William Faulkner (novelist)
- William James (philosopher)
what are the nicknames and variants of William?
Nicknames
how popular is this name?
William has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 146 years since 1880. It peaked at #2 in 1880, and ranked #9 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #9 |
| 2024 | #10 |
| 2023 | #10 |
| 2022 | #6 |
| 2021 | #6 |
| 2020 | #5 |
| 2019 | #4 |
| 2018 | #3 |
| 2017 | #3 |
| 2016 | #3 |
| 2010 | #5 |
| 2000 | #11 |
| 1990 | #16 |
| 1980 | #14 |
| 1970 | #7 |
| 1960 | #7 |
| 1950 | #6 |
| 1940 | #4 |
| 1930 | #4 |
| 1920 | #2 |
| 1910 | #3 |
| 1900 | #2 |
| 1890 | #2 |
| 1880 | #2 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years William fell outside the top 1,000.
what names are similar to William?
what names go well with William?
Sibling names that share William's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about William
What does the name William mean?
William means “resolute protector, strong-willed warrior”.
What is the origin of the name William?
William comes from the German naming tradition. Related forms include Wilhelm, Guillaume, Guillermo and Willem.
How popular is the name William?
William ranked #9 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1880, at #2, and it has spent 146 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is William a boy or girl name?
William is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce William?
William is pronounced WIL-yum, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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