Names related to William: Bill, Billy, Guillaume, Guillermo, Liam, Wilhelm, Will, Willem, Willie, Billie, Willy
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William

Pronunciation: WIL-yəm (key)

Origin of the name William:

From the Old Norman French Willaume, which is derived from the Old High German Willehelm, a compound name composed from the elements willeo (will, determination) and helm (protection, helmet): hence, "resolute protector." William is the most popular name introduced to England by the Normans. It was borne by William the Conqueror (1027? - 87), who invaded England and defeated Harald at the Battle of Hastings, and by three other kings of England.

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Sibling Names for William...

Do you know any real life Williams?
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Alexander Andrew Anna Benjamin Charles David Edward Elizabeth George Hannah Henry Jac James John Katherine Kaylee Mary Matthew Michael Olivia Rebecca Robert Samuel Sarah Thomas
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Reader Contributions

Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name William!

Comments and insights on the name William: | Edit

Great name - you can never go wrong with William.
So true, I know a couple of Williams. They are both really smart and hot.

Personal experiences with the name William: | Edit

I NAMED MY SECOND BORN SON, WILLIAM. I LOVE THE NAME. IT WAS THE ONLY NAME MY HUSBAND AND I COULD AGREE ON! MY FATHER'S MIDDLE NAME IS WILLIAM, AND MY MOTHER'S MAIDEN NAME IS WILLIAMSON. GREAT NAME, I LOVE TO CALL HIM LIAM, BUBBA, WILL.
VERY SMART, SECURE, INDEPENDANT. A NAME THAT DATES BACK TO THE 5TH CENTERY, STILL GOING STRONG!

Nicknames for William: | Edit

Bill, Billy, Will, Willie, Willy, Liam, Wills, Bo, Beau, Yum as in Willyum.

Meanings and history of the name William: | Edit

The name translates into War Helmet, I believe.

Famous real-life people named William: | Edit

Billie Slater, NRL player, HOT!!!
William F. Buckley, conservative American writer and magazine founder
William Jefferson Clinton, 42nd U.S. President
William Ewert Gladstone, British Prime Minister (1868-74, 1880-86, 1892-1894)
William Henry Harrison, 9th U.S. President
Willie Mays, baseball player
William McKinley, 25th U.S. President
William Morris, British Arts and Crafts designer, author, and socialist
Bill Murray, American actor
William Pitt the Elder, British Prime Minister (1766-68)
William Pitt the Younger, British Prime Minister (1783-1801)
William Shakespeare, playwright
Will Smith, rapper/actor
William Howard Taft, 27th U.S. President
William Carlos Williams, American modernist poet
Prince William, second in line to the British throne.
Four British kings, including William I, "The Conqueror"
Will Arnett, Actor
William Shatner, actor, (Star Trek's Captain Kirk,and Denny Crane in Boston Legal)
William Least Heat Moon, Author,Nature Activist

William in song, story & screen: | Edit

"Free Willy" (movie)
"Good Will Hunting" (movie)
Mr. Bill from "Saturday Night Live"
Bill Weasley from "Harry Potter"
Willy Wonka
Will Truman of "Will and Grace"
William Tell, legendary archer, and the "William Tell Overture" from Rossini's opera
"William, it Was Really Nothing" by the Smiths
+ William 'Will' Turner from the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' trilogy
+ Bill Compton, from Charlaine Harris's series 'The Southern Vampire Mysteries'
Billy Costigan, Leonardo DiCaprio's character in The Departed
Billy Elliot, excellent movie
William the Bloody aka Spike from the TV shows Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel
Commander William Ryker (Star Trek: Next Generation)

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