William is a masculine given name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German name Wilhelm, which consists of two elements: "wil" meaning "will" or "desire", and "helm" meaning "helmet". Thus, William can be translated to mean "resolute protection" or "strong-willed warrior".
The name William has a rich history, tracing back to the Middle Ages in Europe. One of the earliest known individuals with this name was William I, also known as William the Conqueror, who invaded England in 1066 and became its king after defeating Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings.
Throughout history, many notable figures have borne the name William, including William Shakespeare, the renowned English playwright and poet; William Blake, an influential English poet, painter, and printmaker; and William Wordsworth, a major English Romantic poet. Additionally, several monarchs across Europe have carried this name, such as William III of England and William IV of the United Kingdom.
In contemporary times, William remains a popular choice for a boy's name in many countries around the world. It has been consistently ranked among the top 500 baby names in the United States since the early 20th century, according to data from the Social Security Administration.
Overall, the name William offers a strong and historic legacy with its Germanic origins and enduring popularity throughout history. Its meaning of "resolute protection" or "strong-willed warrior" further contributes to its appeal for parents seeking a timeless and meaningful name for their sons.
Based on the provided statistics, the name William has seen significant fluctuations in popularity over time. The highest number of births was recorded in 1922 with 60 births, followed by a peak in 1917 with 37 births. However, there have been years where the name's popularity dwindled considerably, such as in 1989 with only 9 births and even lower in 1995 with just 5 births. Overall, from 1880 to 2022, a total of 3506 births were recorded for the name William.