NomOrigine Background

Origin and meaning of the name William

What is the origin of the name William?

The name William has Germanic origins, specifically from Old High German Wilahelm and Old English Wealh-hearm meaning "strong army" or "resolute protection". It was popularized by Saint William of Normandy, also known as William the Conqueror, who invaded England in 1066 and became its king.

Unlock and discover the hidden secrets of the first name William

Unlock the Secrets of Your First Name Now

For only 3.95 $, you get:

  • Full access for 7 days
  • Unlimited access to all name and surname profiles
  • High-quality Origin Certificate
  • Download: Keep a precious memory with your origins downloadable in PDF format.
  • Unlimited search
  • Ad-Free: Enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted user experience.
  • ✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
Unlock the Secrets of Your First Name Now

Free Gift!

Receive your First Name Origin Certificate valued at 16.95 $ for free with every purchase of your full first name origin.

Certificat d'Origine en haute qualité
Unlock the Secrets of Your First Name Now
🎁 Special offer today: 3.95 $ instead of 6.95 $
⏳ This exclusive offer expires in:

✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!

What our users say

“I discovered fascinating details about my family history. This service is amazing for tracing our roots!” - Jean D.

“This site strengthened our sense of family belonging by uncovering our origins. Highly recommended!” - Marie L.

“The information was detailed and accurate. I learned interesting facts about my ancestors. A must-have!” - Paul S.

✅ Join the 5,000+ people who have already discovered the fascinating history of their last name!

Discover my first name's origin now

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What will I discover by exploring my last name?
Answer: You will discover the geographical origin, etymology, and unique history of your last name. You can also explore family traditions and historical events connected to it.

Question: How long does it take to access the information?
Answer: Once your payment is confirmed, access is instant. You can start exploring right away.

Question: Are the details about my last name accurate?
Answer: Our data comes from extensive research in reliable archives and historical databases. While we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, we strive to provide the most complete and precise information possible.

Payment Information

or pay by card

By clicking 'Confirm my payment', you agree to our refund policy, accessible via this link: Refund Policy, as well as our cancellation policy accessible via this link: Cancellation Policy

Learn more about the origin of the name William

The meaning, etymology, and origin of the name William

The name William originates from the Germanic language, specifically derived from Wilhelm, which translates to "will" (desire) and "helm" (protection or helmet). It is composed of two elements: 'wil' meaning desire or will and 'helm' meaning protection or helmet. The name was popularized by Saint William of Normandy, also known as William the Conqueror, who invaded England in 1066 and became its king. This historical figure contributed significantly to the spread and popularity of the name William throughout Europe. In various forms such as Guillaume (French), Guglielmo (Italian), Willem (Dutch), Wilhelm (German), Guillermo (Spanish), Vilhelm (Scandinavian), and Vasilij (Russian), William is a common name across many cultures, bearing the symbolism of strong leadership and protection.

Character traits associated with the name William

William is often characterized as strong-willed, decisive, and courageous. Historically, many individuals named William have held significant roles in leadership and governance. They are known for their intellectual capabilities, strategic thinking, and the ability to inspire others. William personalities tend to be practical, disciplined, and reliable, with a deep sense of duty. They value tradition and often possess a strong moral compass. Despite their serious nature, Williams are also known for their warmth, kindness, and affection towards family and friends. Their love for knowledge and desire for continuous learning make them well-rounded individuals who excel in various fields.

Popularity of the name William

The first name William is one of the most popular and enduring names in the English-speaking world. Originating from the Germanic name "Wilhelm," meaning "resolute protector," it has been consistently ranked among the top names for boys in various countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, for over a century. The name's popularity can be attributed to its strong and noble connotations, as well as its association with several significant historical figures such as William the Conqueror, King William III of England, and American presidents William McKinley and William Howard Taft. In recent years, it has seen a resurgence in popularity due to its timeless quality and classic appeal, making it a favorite choice for many parents seeking a traditional and dignified name for their child.

Famous people with the name William

William Shakespeare, often regarded as the greatest writer in the English language, is perhaps the most renowned figure bearing the name William. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon in the late 16th century, he wrote over 39 plays, including Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, and Othello. His poetic masterpieces such as Sonnet 18 ("Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?") and 129 ("When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes") have also stood the test of time. Another prominent William is William the Conqueror, the Duke of Normandy who invaded and conquered England in 1066, becoming its first Norman King. In modern times, there is William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States, as well as the 10th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Additionally, Sir William Wallace, a Scottish hero, led the resistance to English rule in the late 13th century and is famous for his cry of "Freedom!" The name William has been associated with greatness across centuries and continents.

Variations of the name William

The name William is a popular given name of Germanic origin, which has evolved into several variant forms across different regions and languages. One variation is Wilhelm, which is the German form, derived from the same roots, Wil- meaning "will" or "desire," and helm meaning "helmet" or "protection." Another variation is Guillaume in French, as well as its variants Gillham, Gwilym, Gui, and Guido in other languages. In Spanish, it's known as Guillermo, while the Italian equivalent is Guglielmo. Other less common variations include Guelph, Gulbrand, Villem, Vilhelm, and Llewelyn. The name William has been associated with notable figures throughout history, such as William Shakespeare, William the Conqueror, and William Tell, making it a popular choice for parents worldwide.

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 14 June 2025

Share the origin and meaning of your name with your friends

Search the origin of a first name

Enter the first name you are looking for below:

Similar First Names

Wilbert (First name)

forenames > wilbert

The name "Wilbert" is of Germanic origin and is derived from two elements: "wil," which means "will, desire," and "berht," which means "bright, famous." Therefore, the name can be ...

Wildia (First name)

forenames > wildia

The origin of the first name "Wildia" is not clearly documented or widely recognized. It may have Germanic or Slavic roots.

Wildor (First name)

forenames > wildor

The origin of the first name Wildor is Germanic. It is derived from the elements "wild" meaning "wild" or "untamed" and "her" meaning "army" or "warrior."

Wilel (First name)

forenames > wilel

The first name "Wilel" does not have a widely-known origin or meaning in the English language. It does not appear to be a common or traditional name with a clear historical or cult...

Wilfey (First name)

forenames > wilfey

The name "Wilfey" is of English origin. It is a variant of the name "Wilfred," which derives from the Old English name "Wilfrith" meaning "willful peace."

Wilfin (First name)

forenames > wilfin

The name "Wilfin" does not have a widely recognized origin or meaning in English. It may be a modified or unique variation of other names like Wilfred, Wilbur, or Finn.

Wilford (First name)

forenames > wilford

The name Wilford is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English name "Wilfrið", which is composed of the elements "wil" meaning "will" and "frið" meaning "peace".

Wilian magno (First name)

forenames > wilian-magno

The origin of the first name Wilian Magno is a combination of the English name "William" and the Portuguese name "Magno." "William" is of Old French and Germanic origin meaning "de...

Wilkeiber (First name)

forenames > wilkeiber

The first name "Wilkeiber" appears to have German origins. It is not a common name and may be a variation or combination of other German names.

Will (First name)

forenames > will

The name "Will" is a diminutive or shortened form of the name "William." The name "William" originates from the Germanic elements "wil" meaning "desire" or "will" and "helm" mean...

Willam j (First name)

forenames > willam-j

The origin of the name William J is English.

William appiah (First name)

forenames > william-appiah

The first name William is of English origin, derived from the Old Norman French name Williame, which is a variant of the Old French name Guilhem. The name ultimately comes from the...

William balaraj (First name)

forenames > william-balaraj

The name William is of Germanic origin, derived from the Old High German name Willahelm, which is composed of the elements wil "will, desire" and helm "helmet, protection." The nam...

William clive (First name)

forenames > william-clive

The name William has English origins, derived from the Old Norman name Willahelm, which means "helmet" and "protection." The name Clive also has English origins, derived from the O...

William elijah (First name)

forenames > william-elijah

The name William has origins in Germanic languages and means "resolute protector." The name Elijah has origins in Hebrew and means "Yahweh is God."