William is a name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German words "will" meaning "resolute" or "strong-willed", and "helm" meaning "helmet" or "protector". Thus, William translates to "resolute protector".
The name William first appeared in England with the Norman conquest in 1066. William the Conqueror, also known as William I, was the first Norman king of England. He was a powerful and influential figure in medieval history, and his name became popular among the English nobility.
Over time, the name William spread throughout Europe and beyond. Today, it is considered a classic name with enduring appeal. It has been borne by many notable figures throughout history, including William Shakespeare, the renowned playwright and poet; William Wordsworth, the celebrated Romantic poet; and William Harvey, the physician who made significant contributions to physiology.
In some cultures, William is associated with specific feast days or patron saints. However, these aspects are not universally recognized and do not define the name's essence. Instead, William stands as a strong, traditional name with a rich historical legacy. It remains popular today due to its timeless appeal and international recognition.
The name William has been a popular choice for parents in the United States over the past century, as evidenced by these statistics on its annual usage. The earliest data point we have is from 1922, with 7 births that year. This number fluctuated quite a bit throughout the mid-20th century, ranging from 5 to 8 births per year between 1941 and 1975.
However, in the late 1970s, there was a notable increase in the popularity of the name William. In 1988, it reached a new peak with 10 births that year. This trend continued into the early 2000s, with another peak in 2006 (with 12 births) and 2012 (with 10 births). Even more recently, in 2019, there were 9 births of the name William.
In total, over this period, there were 266 babies named William born in the United States. This demonstrates that while the popularity of the name has varied over time, it has consistently been a beloved choice for parents across several decades.