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Home › Baby Names Directory › William

William

♀ Girl

Pronounced WIL-yum /ˈwɪl.jəm/High

Meaning: From the Germanic Wilhelm, 'resolute protector' (wil, 'will; desire' + helm, 'helmet; protection'). A classic, overwhelmingly masculine name; used here for a girl though it is strongly a boy's name, which we note.Medium

In 30 seconds: A classic meaning 'resolute protector': William is strongly a boy's name (said 'WIL-yum'). Used here for a girl — we note the strong lean.
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Origin MediumGermanic, English
MeaningFrom the Germanic Wilhelm, 'resolute protector' (wil, 'will; desire' + helm, 'helmet; protection'). A classic, overwhelmingly masculine name; used here for a girl though it is strongly a boy's name, which we note.
U.S. rank (2025)#13115 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1928
Total births (all-time)≈ 16,029

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192818802025

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

William, from the Germanic Wilhelm ('resolute protector'), is a classic English boys' name carried by kings and conquerors. As a girl's name it is very rare and reads as a bold surname-style or family pick; strongly a boy's name, which we note (said 'WIL-yum').

For girls it appears only very rarely in U.S. data, against overwhelming boys' use. Very rare for girls, classic, and strong.

Did you know? William means 'resolute protector,' from the Germanic Wilhelm — one of the most enduring boys' names in English. It's used here for a girl, though it is strongly a boy's name, which we note (said 'WIL-yum').
Overall data confidence 55%
References — William — Germanic Wilhelm 'resolute protector'; strongly a boy's name

Variations

WillaWilhelminaWillow

Nicknames

WillWilla

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like William…

Willa— the feminine form families often prefer
Wilhelmina— the full feminine of Wilhelm
Billie— a like classic-name-turned-girl pick
Emerson— a like unisex surname pick

Explore names like William

By themeclassicgermaniccross-sexunisex-lean-boy

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Frequently Asked

What does the name William mean?

William means 'resolute protector,' from the Germanic Wilhelm ('will' + 'helmet').

How do you pronounce William?

It's said WIL-yum /ˈwɪl.jəm/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is William a boy or girl name?

William is strongly a boys' name; its use for a girl is very rare, which we note.

How popular is William?

William is very rare for girls and very common for boys in the U.S.

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