Germanic boy name
William Name Meaning, Origin & Pronunciation
William means resolute protector. From the Germanic Wilhelm, built from wil, will, and helm, helmet.
William is made of two Germanic elements, wil, meaning will or desire, and helm, meaning helmet or protection. The Normans brought it to England, and William the Conqueror's victory at Hastings in 1066 made it hugely popular. It then remained one of the most used names in English for centuries, with a tangle of nicknames: Will, Willy, Bill, Billy, and Liam. William Shakespeare is its most famous bearer in literature, and the royal family still uses it. The name sounds steady and traditional, with many European forms such as Wilhelm and Guillaume.
Variants of William
WillBillLiamGuillaumeWilhelm
Well-known people named William
William Shakespeare, William the Conqueror.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name William mean?
William means "resolute protector". From the Germanic Wilhelm, built from wil, will, and helm, helmet.
How do you pronounce William?
William is pronounced WIL-yum.
What is the origin of William?
William is of Germanic origin. From the Germanic Wilhelm, built from wil, will, and helm, helmet.