Likely the most successful of all Old French names of Germanic origin that were introduced to England by the Normans. The fact that it was borne by the Conqueror himself does not seem to have inhibited its favour with the 'conquered' population; in the first century after the Conquest it was the commonest male name of all, and not only among the Normans. Overtaken by John in the later Middle Ages, William has continued to keep pace in second place until the 20th century. Famous bearers include William Shakespeare (playwright), William Wallace (Scottish patriot) and Price William.

Shakespearean Meaning: The name William is a Shakespearean baby name. In Shakespearean the meaning of the name William is: Henry VI, 2' Sir John Stanley. 'Henry VI, Part III' Sir William Stanley. 'As You Like It' A country fellow, in love with Audrey. 'The Merry Wives of Windsor' A boy, son to Page. 'Richard III' Sir William Catesby. 'Richard III' Sir William Brandon.

American Meaning: The name William is an American baby name. In American the meaning of the name William is: Henry VI, 2' Sir John Stanley. 'Henry VI, Part III' Sir William Stanley. 'As You Like It' A country fellow, in love with Audrey. 'The Merry Wives of Windsor' A boy, son to Page. 'Richard III' Sir William Catesby. 'Richard III' Sir William Brandon.

French Meaning: The name William is a French baby name. In French the meaning of the name William is: Determined protector.

Teutonic Meaning: The name William is a Teutonic baby name. In Teutonic the meaning of the name William is: Strong helmet.

English Meaning: The name William is an English baby name. In English the meaning of the name William is: Resolute protector; will. For a long time after the Norman conquest in A.D. 1066 many English boys were given some form of William the Conquer's name. The firstborn son of Prince Charles is named William.

German Meaning: The name William is a German baby name. In German the meaning of the name William is: Resolute protector; will. For a long time after the Norman conquest in A.D. 1066 many English boys were given some form of William the Conquer's name. William. The firstborn son of Prince Charles is named William.

and flow in usage, but William has remained popular pretty much ever since it came into play. It comes from the Germanic Wilhelm, which breaks down into “will/desire” (wil) and “protection/helmet” (helm). Oddly enough, the name became wildly popular in England after the Norman invader William the Conqueror stormed in and took control in 1066. Since then, the name’s never really left common usage. It became so popular, in fact, that rumor tells of a Normandy Christmas event hosted by Henry the Young King in the twelfth century where 110 knights named William gathered for dinner and refused to allow anyone into the room with them unless they were named…you guessed it, William. In the US, it’s been in the top 20 since at least 1880, and barely dropped out of the top five until the ’60s and the top 20 in the ’80s and ’90s. It’s currently moving back up, with some thanks likely owed to Prince William of the British Royal Family. Popular nicknames include Will and Bill, but the trendy Liam is another good option.

From the Germanic name Willahelm, which was composed of the elements wil "will, desire" and helm "helmet, protection". Saint William of Gellone was an 8th-century cousin of Charlemagne who became a monk. The name was common among the Normans, and it became extremely popular in England after William the Conqueror was recognized as the first Norman king of England. It was later borne by three other English kings, as well as rulers of Scotland, Sicily (of Norman origin), the Netherlands and Prussia. Other famous bearers include William Wallace, a 13th-century Scottish hero, and William Tell, a legendary 14th-century Swiss hero. In the literary world it was borne by dramatist William Shakespeare (1564-1616), poet William Blake (1757-1827), poet William Wordsworth (1770-1850), dramatist William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), author William Faulkner (1897-1962), and author William S. Burroughs (1914-1997).