“William” & Its Other Names From Around The World

I once knew a person called William, and then he went by Billy. That really confused me because William and Billy sounded very different to my ears. One day I asked why, and he explained that a person called William can also go by Billy, Billie, or even Willie. That’s when I realized that William is one of those names with very playful nicknames.

The name William, meaning "strong-willed warrior" or "resolute protector," is believed to have German origins from the name Wilhelm. Sometime in 1066, the name was solidified in history by William the Conqueror, the first Norman King of England.

But William isn’t only a name for conquerors and kings. Other famous and influential Williams include William Shakespeare, William Wordsworth, William Still, and even William Shatner (known as Kirk from Star Trek).

Oh, one more thing: there is also a very happy Airedale Terrier called William (or Willi) who deserves all the boops and floofs in the world.

"William" Around the Globe

• French: Guillaume
• German, Polish: Wilhelm
• Dutch: Willem, Pim, Willi, Wim
• Limburgish: Wöllem, Wullem, Wum
• Hawaiian: Williama
• Breton: Gwilherm
• Tongan: Viliami
• Irish: Uilliam, Liam, Uilleag
• Hungarian: Vilmos
• Toa Batak: Billem
• Spanish: Guillermo
• Aragonese: Guillén
• Basque: Guilen
• Czech: Vilém
• Persian: Walaam
• Greek: Γουλιέλμος (Gouliélmos)
• Welsh: Gwilym, Gwillym, Gwilim
• Icelandic, Faroese: Vilhjálmur
• Scots: Weelum, Willum
• Cornish: Wella
• Portuguese: Guilherme
• Japanese: Uiriamu
• Russian: Уильям (Uilyam)
• Turkish: Vilyam, Vilyım
• Yiddish: Velvel
• Italian: Guglielmo
• Sicilian: Gugghiermu