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Home › Baby Names Directory › Wilhelmina

Wilhelmina

♀ Girl

Pronounced wihl-uh-MEEN-uh /ˌwɪl.ə.ˈmin.ə/Medium

Meaning: Will helmetMedium

In 30 seconds: Wilhelmina is the Dutch feminine form of William, meaning roughly 'will helmet' — protection through resolve.
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Origin MediumDutch, English, German
MeaningWill helmet
U.S. rank (2025)#1517 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births141 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1916
Total births (all-time)≈ 13,093

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191618802025

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

Wilhelmina comes from Dutch as the feminine of William, built from elements glossed as 'will' and 'helmet'. Its full four syllables give it a stately, old-world weight. Shorter relatives soften it considerably, including Vilma, the Finnish Helmi, and Iina.

The name carries real Dutch heft: Wilhelmina Drucker (1847-1925) was an early Dutch feminist, and Wilhelmina of the Netherlands (1880-1962) reigned as queen, both rooting the name in the country's history.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Wilhelmina is 'will helmet', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Wilhelmina — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

VilmaVilemínaVilhelmiinaHelmiIina

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Wilhelmina Drucker (1847–1925)
    One of the first Dutch feminists
  • ★Wilhelmina of the Netherlands (1880–1962)
    Female public figure listed on Behind the Name.

If you like Wilhelmina…

Mina— A common short form drawn from the end of Wilhelmina.
Philomena— shares Wilhelmina's English roots
Jana— a similarly popular pick
Lillianna— shares Wilhelmina's English roots
Georgiana— shares Wilhelmina's English roots

Explore names like Wilhelmina

By themegermandutch

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Wilhelmina mean?

Wilhelmina is usually explained as meaning 'will helmet' and is most often linked with Dutch tradition.

How do you pronounce Wilhelmina?

It's commonly said wihl-uh-MEEN-uh /ˌwɪl.ə.ˈmin.ə/.

Is Wilhelmina a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Wilhelmina is used as a girl name.

How popular is Wilhelmina?

In 2024, Wilhelmina ranked #1817 in the U.S. for girls, with 111 births recorded.

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