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William Boy

Popularity: #10 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationWIL-yum / /ˈwɪljəm/

Germanic; Old High German

Meaning

Germanic: resolute protector; Old High German: will- (will, desire) + helm (helmet, protection)

Historical & Cultural Background

The name William has its roots in the Germanic elements "wil" meaning "will" or "desire" and "helm" meaning "helmet" or "protection." This etymology can be traced back to the Old High German name "Willahelm," which evolved into the Old French "Guillaume" following the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The name entered the English language as William, reflecting the linguistic shifts that occurred during this period, as the Normans brought their language and culture to England, significantly influencing the English lexicon.

Historically, the name William has been borne by numerous notable figures, contributing to its prominence. One of the most significant was William the Conqueror, who became the first Norman King of England in 1066. His reign marked a pivotal moment in English history, leading to the establishment of Norman rule and the introduction of feudalism. The name was further popularized by subsequent kings, including William II and William III, as well as saints such as Saint William of York, who lived in the 12th century. The name's presence in historical texts, including the Domesday Book and various chronicles, underscores its importance in medieval society.

Culturally, the name William has been associated with nobility and leadership, often symbolizing strength and protection due to its etymological roots. It has been a favored name in literature and the arts, appearing in works by Shakespeare, such as "Henry V," where the character embodies the qualities of a strong leader. Additionally, diminutive forms like Will and Willy have emerged, reflecting a more personal or affectionate usage of the name. Overall, William's enduring legacy is marked by its historical significance and cultural resonance, making it a name of considerable weight throughout the centuries.

Trend Summary

William has consistently ranked among the top names for boys in the United States for many decades.

Similar Names

LiamWalterWinstonWilburWaylonWesleyWillardWhitman

Variants

  • Will
  • Bill
  • Billy
  • Willie

International Variants

  • Guillermo (Spanish)
  • Wilhelm (German)
  • Liam (Irish)
  • Guglielmo (Italian)

Famous people named William

William Shakespeare is a playwright and poet best known for Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth.

William Faulkner is a novelist best known for The Sound and the Fury, As I Lay Dying, and Light in August.

William Wordsworth is a poet best known for Lyrical Ballads, I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud, and Tintern Abbey.

William Golding is a novelist best known for Lord of the Flies, The Inheritors, and The Spire.

William Morris is a designer and writer best known for The Kelmscott Press, News from Nowhere, and The Earthly Paradise.

William Blake is a poet and artist best known for Songs of Innocence and of Experience, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, and The Book of Urizen.

William Howard Taft is a U.S. President best known for being the only person to serve as both President and Chief Justice of the United States.

William Hurt is an actor best known for Kiss of the Spider Woman, Broadcast News, and The Big Chill.

William Shatner is an actor best known for Star Trek, T.J. Hooker, and Boston Legal.

William H. Macy is an actor best known for Fargo, Shameless, and Boogie Nights.

William Gibson is an author best known for Neuromancer, Count Zero, and Mona Lisa Overdrive.

William Zinsser is an author and journalist best known for On Writing Well, Writing to Learn, and Writing About Your Life.

William Styron is a novelist best known for Sophie's Choice, The Confessions of Nat Turner, and Darkness Visible.

William S. Burroughs is an author best known for Naked Lunch, Junky, and The Ticket That Exploded.

William Blake is a poet and painter best known for The Songs of Innocence and of Experience, and The Marriage of Heaven and Hell.

Fictional characters named William

William Wallace is a fictional character from the film Braveheart. He is a Scottish knight who leads his countrymen in a rebellion against English rule.

William Munny is a fictional character from the film Unforgiven. He is a retired outlaw who reluctantly returns to his violent ways for one last job.

William Riker is a fictional character from the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation. He is the first officer of the starship Enterprise-D and a key member of the crew.

William Stryker is a fictional character from the X-Men film series. He is a military officer and antagonist who seeks to eliminate mutants.

William T. Riker is a fictional character from the Star Trek franchise. He is known for his role as the first officer aboard the USS Enterprise-D and later the USS Titan.

Sibling Suggestions

JamesHenryCharlesEdwardThomasGeorgeAlexander

U.S. Historical Usage

The name William was first seen in the United States in 1880. William has ranked as high as #6 nationally, which occurred in 1947, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, California, Ohio, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name William has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for William (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 930
9%
CA 790
8%
NC 501
5%
NY 475
5%
GA 462
5%
FL 456
4%
TN 421
4%
VA 397
4%
OH 371
4%
IL 357
4%
PA 333
3%
AL 314
3%
SC 274
3%
MI 272
3%
MA 258
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18809,532
18818,524
18829,298
18838,387
18848,897
18858,044
18868,252
18877,470
18888,705
18897,772
18907,494
18916,763
18927,782
18937,223
18947,274
18957,277
18967,747
18977,198
18987,400
18996,086
19008,579
19015,990
19026,617
19036,311
19046,416
19056,495
19066,566
19076,904
19087,529
19097,913
19108,844
191110,593
191219,626
191323,538
191429,753
191538,563
191640,418
191742,422
191845,291
191943,970
192050,146
192151,862
192251,112
192352,136
192453,506
192553,309
192651,922
192751,476
192849,119
192947,814
193047,271
193143,280
193242,127
193339,047
193440,176
193540,200
193639,398
193740,724
193842,432
193942,073
194044,781
194147,797
194254,891
194355,904
194452,373
194550,218
194660,030
194767,001
194861,970
194961,504
195060,679
195162,783
195263,039
195361,830
195461,431
195559,985
195658,990
195756,850
195854,254
195951,385
196049,344
196148,035
196244,859
196344,444
196444,223
196540,111
196638,240
196737,619
196836,928
196937,608
197038,889
197135,416
197230,512
197328,015
197426,977
197525,562
197624,433
197724,757
197824,174
197924,680
198025,638
198124,801
198225,606
198325,396
198424,902
198524,608
198624,333
198724,203
198824,125
198924,674
199024,909
199123,858
199223,066
199322,219
199421,491
199520,160
199620,544
199720,020
199820,835
199920,716
200020,669
200120,110
200220,136
200319,999
200420,235
200519,060
200618,963
200718,894
200818,403
200917,935
201017,071
201117,359
201216,914
201316,665
201416,847
201515,945
201615,808
201715,042
201814,645
201913,649
202012,673
202112,166
202211,349
202310,653
202410,596