Wilhem is a name of German origin, derived from the Old High German name "Willhelm," which was composed of two elements: "wil" meaning "will" or "desire," and "helm" meaning "helmet" or "protection." Thus, Wilhem translates to "strong-willed protection" or "resolute protection."
The name Wilhelm has a long history and has been borne by several notable figures throughout the centuries. One of the most famous was Wilhelm II, also known as Kaiser Wilhelm II, who was the last German Emperor (Kaiser) and King of Prussia from 1888 to 1918. He is remembered for his role in World War I.
Other notable individuals with this name include Wilhelm Grimm, one half of the famed Brothers Grimm, who collected and published German fairy tales; Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, the discoverer of X-rays; and Wilhelm Busch, a popular German poet, illustrator, and artist known for his humorous verse stories.
Today, Wilhem is still used as a given name but has become less common than its variant spellings like Wilhelm or William. Despite its lesser usage, Wilhem remains a strong and historic name with a rich heritage behind it.
According to statistical data from the United States, the name Wilhelm experienced a steady rate of usage over the course of a decade, with five births occurring each year in both 1997 and 2007. This consistency can be seen as an indicator of its enduring popularity among parents during this time period, with a total of ten newborns bearing the name Wilhelm across these two years combined.