William

William as a name

William is a male given name with Germanic origins. It is derived from the Germanic name Wilhelm, which is composed of the elements “wil” meaning “will, desire” and “helm” meaning “helmet, protection.” William has been a popular name in the English-speaking world for centuries, with many famous people bearing the name, such as William Shakespeare, William Wallace, and William the Conqueror.

The name William has several variations and nicknames, including Will, Bill, Billy, and Liam. It has also been used as a surname, most notably by the British royal family.