William: Name Meaning, Origin and Nicknames

Meaning: Determined protector
Origin: Germanic
Gender: Boy
Syllables: 3
Popularity: US top 10
Style: Classic
Used in: English-speaking countries

Nicknames for William

What friends, grandparents and the playground will call them, depending on where they grow up.

English: Will, Billy, Liam, Willie

What people expect from a William

William is built from soft sounds. Studies of name sounds find people expect someone with a soft name to be warm, agreeable and calm. It is very popular right now, so expect another one in the class.

The meaning is about strength and courage. A name can't give a child strength, but it's a nice thing to explain to them one day.

A good fit if you hope for: an athlete.

Names set expectations, not personalities. What the research says.

William: name scorecard

Save your future kid some trouble: give them a name they can live and grow with.

80/100

Good, with a catch or two

William · nickname: Will, Liam

International readabilityReads well across languages, "w" (read as v in much of Europe); "ll" (y in Spanish).
Easy to say and spellSays itself: 3 syllables, spelt how it sounds.
Not too common, not too strangeVery common right now: expect two in the class and a surname initial forever ("Liam S.").
Playground-proofNo obvious rude words or rhymes. Kids are creative, though.
Won't get you sued (or refused)Nothing a registrar would object to in most countries.
A meaning to be proud ofMeans "Determined protector".

Names with a similar meaning

Liam Leo Alexander Andrew Everett Leonardo Louis Gideon Victor Vincent

More Germanic names

Henry Charles Everett Milo Emmett Charlie Bernardo Fernando Bruno Hugo

Did you know?

Of the 12 people who have walked on the Moon, two were named Charles and two were named Alan.

NASA Apollo records

Questions about William

What does the name William mean?

William is a boy's name of Germanic origin meaning "Determined protector".

Is William a boy or girl name?

William is usually a boy's name.

How popular is the name William?

William is one of the ten most popular names in the US right now. It is used in English-speaking countries.

What are nicknames for William?

Common nicknames for William are Will, Billy, Liam and Willie.

Fun, but true. Name meanings come from common etymologies, which sometimes disagree. Height and weight paths are estimates from population growth data and published studies, not a medical assessment. If you're worried about your child's growth, talk to your paediatrician. Full disclaimer