Meaning: Will and helmet; protection
The story
William comes from a Germanic compound joining will or desire with helmet or protection. The familiar resolute-protector interpretation summarizes those elements rather than translating a single word.
Nicknames
- Will
- Liam
- Billy
- Wills
Spellings & variants
Popularity
Top 100
One of the 100 most popular names in the US.
Similar position in the latest US rankings
Style
Origins
William comes from German and English.
More like William
More German & Dutch namesRobert
Bright fame
Henry
Home ruler
Waylon
Variant of Wayland; possibly associated with craft or cunning
Miles
Meaning uncertain; associated with dear or soldier
Myles
Variant of Miles; meaning uncertain
Xander
Short form of Alexander: defending people
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