Guilherme Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: gee-YER-me /ɡiˈʎɛʁmi/
Origin: Portuguese; Germanic
Meaning: Portuguese: resolute protector; Germanic: will, helmet
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Guilherme is of Portuguese origin, derived from the Germanic name Wilhelm, which is composed of the elements 'wil' meaning 'will' or 'desire' and 'helm' meaning 'helmet' or 'protection.' The name Wilhelm was introduced to the Iberian Peninsula through the influence of the Visigoths, a Germanic tribe, during the early Middle Ages. Over time, Wilhelm evolved into various forms in different languages, including Guillermo in Spanish and Guilherme in Portuguese, as the name was adapted to fit the phonetic and orthographic norms of these languages.
Historically, the name Guilherme has significant associations, particularly in the context of Portuguese and Brazilian history. One notable figure is Guilherme de Almeida, a prominent Brazilian poet and translator in the early 20th century, who contributed to the cultural landscape of Brazil.
Additionally, the name is linked to several Portuguese monarchs, including King Guilherme I of Portugal, who ruled during the 12th century, further embedding the name within the historical narrative of the nation. The name also appears in various historical texts and documents, reflecting its longstanding presence in the Portuguese-speaking world.
Culturally, Guilherme carries connotations of strength and leadership, resonating with the protective qualities implied by its etymological roots. The name has been celebrated in literature and the arts, often symbolizing noble characteristics associated with its bearers.
Diminutive forms such as Gui are also used, reflecting a more intimate or affectionate usage while maintaining the name's historical significance. Overall, Guilherme exemplifies a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution and cultural heritage, rooted deeply in the history of the Portuguese language and its speakers.
Famous people named Guilherme
In this section, you will find notable people named Guilherme. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Guilherme who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Guilherme who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Guilherme de Almeida is a poet and playwright best known for his contributions to Brazilian literature and his role in the modernist movement.
Guilherme Arana is a professional footballer best known for playing as a left-back for Atlético Mineiro and the Brazil national team.
Guilherme Fontes is an actor and director best known for his roles in Brazilian cinema and television series.
Guilherme Leal is a businessman best known for co-founding Natura, a Brazilian cosmetics company.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Guilherme, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Guilherme. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Guilherme was first seen in the United States in 1921.
Guilherme has ranked as high as #6581 nationally, which occurred in 2006, and has been most popular in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Guilherme has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Guilherme is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Guilherme was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Guilherme.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | 8 |
| 2024 | 5 | 5 |
| 2022 | 7 | 7 |
| 2021 | 10 | 10 |
| 2020 | 11 | 11 |
| 2019 | 17 | 17 |
| 2018 | 9 | 9 |
| 2017 | 18 | 18 |
| 2016 | 15 | 15 |
| 2015 | 12 | 12 |
| 2014 | 12 | 12 |
| 2013 | 12 | 12 |
| 2012 | 16 | 16 |
| 2011 | 22 | 22 |
| 2010 | 16 | 16 |
| 2009 | 30 | 30 |
| 2008 | 35 | 35 |
| 2007 | 32 | 32 |
| 2006 | 39 | 39 |
| 2005 | 25 | 25 |
| 2004 | 21 | 21 |
| 2003 | 14 | 14 |
| 2002 | 17 | 17 |
| 2001 | 29 | 29 |
| 2000 | 15 | 15 |
| 1999 | 11 | 11 |
| 1998 | 5 | 5 |
| 1997 | 7 | 7 |
| 1996 | 7 | 7 |
| 1995 | 5 | 5 |
| 1994 | 6 | 6 |
| 1993 | 7 | 7 |
| 1992 | 7 | 7 |
| 1990 | 8 | 8 |
| 1982 | 6 | 6 |
| 1921 | 6 | 6 |
Top States for Guilherme (2019)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| MA | 8 |