Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
William
BoyGermanic, English· “resolute protector”
- Meaning
- resolute protector
- Origin
- Germanic, English
- Pronunciation
- WIHL-yuhm
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #9
- US babies 2025
- 10,545
- Best rank
- #2 (1880)
- Peak year
- 1947
Meaning and origin of William
William is a Germanic and English name that means “resolute protector”.
William comes from the Germanic elements wil, "will" or "desire", and helm, "helmet" or "protection", and is often rendered "resolute protector". William the Conqueror brought it to England with the Norman Conquest of 1066, and it quickly became one of the most common English names. Four kings of England and Britain have borne it, and it remains prominent in the British royal family. William Shakespeare and William Wordsworth are among its famous literary bearers. The name feels dependable and timeless, and it offers an unusually wide range of nicknames: Will, Billy, Bill and Liam. Liam in particular has grown into a major independent name.
Popularity over time
William has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #2 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 1947, when 67,002 were named William. In 2025, 10,545 babies were named William, and it ranked #9 nationally. That is 34% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2 in 1920, #6 in 1950, #14 in 1980, #11 in 2000, #5 in 2010, and #9 in 2025. Of the 4,199,696 US boys named William since records began, 14% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1940s come next, with 556,478 babies. Since 2010, 228,048 more have been named William.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Richard, John, Robert, Charles, and James.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, William ranked highest in Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | #2 | 331 |
| Mississippi | #2 | 155 |
| Georgia | #3 | 475 |
| South Carolina | #3 | 269 |
| Montana | #3 | 52 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
William is usually pronounced WIHL-yuhm, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with W and ends in “-am”.
Middle names for William
A few middle names that flow with William: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for William
Similar names
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Lists that include William
Frequently asked questions
What does the name William mean?
William is a Germanic and English name that means “resolute protector”.
What is the origin of the name William?
William has Germanic and English roots. William comes from the Germanic elements wil, "will" or "desire", and helm, "helmet" or "protection", and is often rendered "resolute protector".
Is William a popular name?
Yes. William ranked #9 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is William a boy or girl name?
William is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce William?
William is usually pronounced WIHL-yuhm. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings