Names › Boys' names › W › William
William
Meaning: will, desire + protection · Origin: Germanic · Gender: usually a boy's name
Origin & history
From Germanic wil ('will, desire') + helm ('helmet, protection'). William the Conqueror brought it to England in 1066.
Famous people named William
- William Shakespeare (playwright)
- William the Conqueror
- Prince William
Nicknames
Will, Bill, Liam, Billy
Variants & related names
Wilhelm, Guillaume, Guillermo, Liam
William name art
A free preview of a printable “William” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.
Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.
FAQ
What does the name William mean?
William means “will, desire + protection”. It comes from Germanic.
Is William a popular name?
Yes — William has been one of the most popular boys' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.
What are nicknames for William?
Will, Bill, Liam, Billy.
What are other forms of William?
Wilhelm, Guillaume, Guillermo, Liam.
Similar names
Freddie · Harry · Charlie · Louis · Hugo · Albert
More: names starting with W · all boys' names
Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.