William is a name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German elements "wil" meaning "will" or "desire," and "helm" which means "helmet" or "protection." The name as a whole signifies "resolute protection" or "strong-willed warrior."
The use of the name William can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon period in England. It was introduced by the Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066 and became particularly popular among the royal family, with several English kings named William throughout history.
In medieval times, William became one of the most common names in Europe due to its popularity among nobility. Its widespread use can be attributed to figures such as William the Conqueror (also known as William I), who invaded England from Normandy and became its king in 1066.
Over time, numerous variations and diminutives of the name have emerged, including Will, Willy, Willie, Billy, Liam, and others. Despite these variations, all forms of the name share the same core meaning and historical significance.
Today, William remains a popular choice for parents, ranking among the top 500 names for boys in many English-speaking countries. Its enduring appeal can be attributed to its strong, historic associations and timeless meanings.
Based on the statistics provided for the name Wille in the United States from 1907 to 1979, we can observe several trends:
* The number of births with the name Wille varied each year, ranging from a low of 5 births to a high of 17 births.
* The peak years for Wille births were during the late 1920s and early 1930s, with notable spikes in 1929 (17 births) and 1949 (13 births).
* After the peak in 1949, there was a steady decline in Wille births throughout the remainder of the time period.
* From 1960 onwards, Wille births consistently remained below 10 each year.
* The total number of Wille births in the United States between 1907 and 1979 was 366.