Williams is a name of Welsh origin that has been widely used across the globe. It is a patronymic name, meaning it was originally given to sons of William. The name William itself comes from the Germanic elements "wil" meaning "will" or "desire," and "helm" meaning "helmet" or "protection." Therefore, Williams can be translated as "resolute protection" or "strong-willed warrior."
The name Williams has a long history and is associated with many notable figures throughout time. One of the most famous bearers of this name was the American president Theodore Roosevelt's son, also named Theodore Roosevelt Jr., who served as governor of Puerto Rico during World War II.
In literature, Williams appears as characters in works by authors such as Mark Twain ("The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn") and Charles Dickens ("Oliver Twist"). Additionally, the name has been used by many musicians, including the American singer-songwriter Tennessee Williams (no relation to the playwright) and the British rock band The Maccabees' lead singer Orlando Williams.
Today, Williams remains a popular choice for parents looking to give their child a strong, historical name. It is often spelled variations such as Williamson or Williamsons, but its meaning and origins remain unchanged: a name that carries with it centuries of history and strength.
In the United States, the name Williams experienced some fluctuations in popularity over the years from 1958 to 1981. Here are the statistics:
* In 1958, there were 7 births with the name Williams.
* The popularity of the name remained consistent for sixteen years as there were also 7 births recorded in 1974.
* The trend changed slightly in the following years:
+ In 1980, the number of births with the name Williams decreased to 5.
+ This decrease continued into 1981, with another 5 births recorded.
Overall, from 1958 to 1981, there were a total of 24 babies born in the United States named Williams.