William is a popular male given name of Germanic origin. It is derived from the Old German words "wil" meaning "will" or "desire," and "helm" meaning "helmet" or "protection." Thus, the name William means "strong-willed warrior" or "resolute protection."
The name William has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. It was introduced into England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The first recorded use of the name in England is found in the Domesday Book, a great survey of England completed in 1086, where it appears as Willelmus.
The name William gained further popularity during the reign of William the Conqueror (also known as William I), who was the first Norman king of England. He ruled from 1066 until his death in 1087 and is famous for his role in the Battle of Hastings. The name has since been associated with various significant historical figures, including William II Rufus (William the Red), William III of Orange, and William IV of the United Kingdom.
Throughout its history, the name William has had numerous variations and nickname forms. Some popular variants include Willie, Willy, Liam, Bill, Will, and Willis. It has also inspired many place names, such as Williamsburg in Virginia and Williamsport in Pennsylvania.
In recent years, William has remained a popular choice for parents naming their sons, ranking among the top 500 boy's names in the United States according to the Social Security Administration's data from 2019. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to its strong, traditional sound and its association with historical figures of importance.
In summary, William is a Germanic given name meaning "strong-willed warrior" or "resolute protection." It has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages and has been associated with numerous significant historical figures throughout its existence. Today, it remains a popular choice for parents naming their sons due to its strong, traditional sound and enduring appeal.
The name Wiliam had a total of 1229 births over the period from 1881 to 2023. The number of births fluctuated significantly throughout this time, with peaks occurring in certain decades and troughs in others. For instance, there were more than ten births each year between 1967 and 1975, with a peak of 21 births in 1971. Conversely, the period from 1940 to 1956 saw fewer than ten births per year on average, with some years recording as few as five births. The most recent decade (2013-2023) has seen a resurgence in the popularity of the name Wiliam, with more than ten births each year except for 2020 and 2023, which saw six and five births respectively.