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Home β€Ί Baby Names Directory β€Ί Willem

Willem

β™‚ Boy

Pronounced IH-luhm /ΛˆΚ‹Ιͺ.lΙ™m/Medium

Meaning: Will helmetMedium

In 30 seconds: Willem is the Dutch form of William, meaning 'will helmet' β€” resolute protection.
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Origin MediumDutch
MeaningWill helmet
U.S. rank (2025)#2601 β†— Rising
2025 U.S. births51 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2003
Total births (all-time)β‰ˆ 2,839

Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data

peak 200319162025

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

Willem is the Dutch version of William, combining the elements for 'will' and 'helmet' to suggest determined protection. It is a deeply traditional name in the Netherlands, borne by statesmen and royalty alike. Dutch Prime Minister Willem Drees is one notable bearer.

Across Europe the same name shifts shape into forms like the Catalan Guillem, the Breton Gwilherm, and the Croatian Vilim. Dutch physiologist Willem Einthoven, who won the 1924 Nobel Prize for inventing the electrocardiogram, shows the name's scientific legacy.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Willem 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 - Willem β€” etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration β€” 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

GwilhermGuillemGuimVilimVilko

Nicknames

β€”

Famous Bearers

  • β˜…Willem Drees (1886–1988)
    Dutch politician, Prime Minister of the Netherlands.
  • β˜…Willem Einthoven (1860–1927)
    Dutch physiologist; 1924 Nobel Prize for electrocardiogram.

If you like Willem…

Williamβ€” The English name Willem corresponds to, sharing the 'will helmet' meaning.
Harlemβ€” echoes that soft -em sound
Jordyβ€” shares Willem's Dutch roots
Deckerβ€” lands in the same popularity range
Derickβ€” lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Willem

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Willem mean?

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

How do you pronounce Willem?

It's commonly said IH-luhm /ΛˆΚ‹Ιͺ.lΙ™m/.

Is Willem a boy or girl name?

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

How popular is Willem?

In 2024, Willem ranked #2664 in the U.S. for boys, with 50 births recorded.

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