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Uilliam
Pronounced ILL-yum /ˈɪl.jəm/Medium
Meaning: The Irish form of William, from the Germanic elements wil, 'will; desire', and helm, 'helmet; protection' — together read as 'resolute protector'. Uilliam is the standard Irish-language spelling.Medium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Uilliam is the Irish-language form of William, a name the Normans carried into Ireland after the twelfth century. Its Germanic parts — wil, 'will', and helm, 'protection' — give the classic reading 'resolute protector'. Irish families use it as a heritage spelling of a name that has never gone out of style (said 'ILL-yum').
In the U.S. it appears only rarely, far behind William. Rare here, traditional in Ireland.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Uilliam mean?
Uilliam is the Irish form of William, from Germanic roots meaning 'will' and 'protection' — 'resolute protector'.
How do you pronounce Uilliam?
It's said ILL-yum /ˈɪl.jəm/ — two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Uilliam a boy or girl name?
Uilliam is used as a boy's name.
How popular is Uilliam?
Uilliam is a very rare spelling in the U.S., though William itself is a perennial favorite.