William is a name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old Germanic words "wil" meaning "will" or "desire," and "helm" meaning "helmet" or "protection." The name was brought to England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066 and has since become one of the most popular names in English-speaking countries.
The name William first became prominent in England through the reign of William the Conqueror, also known as William I, who was the first Norman King of England. After him, several other kings of England bore the name William, including William II (also known as William Rufus), William III (who ruled jointly with his wife Mary II), and William IV.
Throughout history, the name William has been associated with many notable figures besides English monarchs. Some famous Williams include William Shakespeare, the renowned playwright and poet; William Wordsworth, a celebrated Romantic poet; and William Blake, an influential poet, painter, and printmaker.
In addition to its historical significance, the name William is also popular because of its sound and its meaning. The name has a strong, confident ring to it, while its meaning "desire for protection" suggests that Williams are often seen as reliable, steadfast individuals who protect and support those around them.
Overall, William is a classic name with a rich history and a strong meaning that continues to appeal to parents today. Its popularity over the centuries is a testament to its enduring appeal and timelessness.
The statistics provided outline the popularity of the name William in the United States over a span of over a century, from 1882 to 2018.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the name William was not exceptionally popular. Between 1882 and 1920, there were fewer than 20 births per year with the name William, with some years seeing as few as five births.
However, the popularity of the name began to increase significantly in the late 1920s. In 1923, there were 26 births with the name William, marking a significant jump from previous years. This trend continued through the 1930s and 1940s, with the number of births per year ranging from double to triple digits.
The peak in popularity for the name William occurred between the late 1950s and early 1970s. In 1958, there were 25 births with the name William, and this number continued to rise throughout the following decade. The name reached its zenith in 1965, with 26 births that year.
After 1965, the popularity of the name William began to decline. However, it remained relatively common throughout the late 20th century, with an average of around 20 births per year between 1980 and 1990.
In recent years, the name William has seen a resurgence in popularity. After dropping to just eight births in 1996, the number of Williams born each year increased steadily throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. In 2018, there were 10 births with the name William, marking a significant increase from previous years.
Overall, over the span of more than a century, there have been a total of 1597 births with the name William in the United States. While its popularity has waxed and waned over time, William remains a classic and enduring choice for parents looking for a timeless and traditional name for their children.