William

How many boys were given this name in 2009?

699

Meaning

William is the English form of the old Germanic name which was a compound of words meaning 'will' or 'wish' and 'helmet'.

Popularity

William has been a popular name since the middle of the 1990s and it is still at the top of its popularity curve.

Well-known bearers of the name

William Shakespeare is a famous English poet and dramatist who died in 1616. The name William is also borne by several English kings. The former American president Bill Clinton was originally known as William Jefferson Clinton. Name-forms such as Bill, Will and Billy are all pet forms of the name William.

Incidentally

The name Willum (or Villum) is a Danish development of this name.