William

Name meaning, origin, pronunciation, and popularity rankings

How to pronounce the name William
Pronunciation guide for William
ARPA
W IH1 L Y AH0 M
IPA
ˈwɪljəm

Pronunciation Breakdown

Detailed phonetic analysis of how to say William

Syllables (2)

W IH1 L Y AH0 M

Bold syllables indicate primary stress

Sound Breakdown

W
we (w)
IH1
it (ɪ)
L
lee (l)
Y
yield (j)
AH0
hut (ʌ)
M
me (m)

International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)

ˈwɪljəm

Standard international representation

Pronunciation Tips

William has 2 syllables. Take your time with each part.

• Emphasize the syllable marked in bold for correct pronunciation.

Name Statistics
Key metrics and characteristics of William

Structure

Character Count
7
Syllable Count
2
Vowel Ratio
43%
Name Family
will

Usability

Pronunciation Difficulty4/10

Moderate difficulty

International Friendliness10/10

Works well across languages

DNA profile of the name William
Unique character and personality of the name William

Name Personality

The Global
Global
Adaptable
Modern

Key Characteristics

Length
Medium

Balanced and versatile

Rhythm
Flowing

Balanced rhythm

Sound
Balanced

Mix of vowels and consonants

Ease
Moderate

May require practice

Global
Universal

Works across cultures

Heritage
will

Part of this name family

Letter Frequency

i×2
l×2
w×1

Most frequent letters in William

Visual Pattern

Tall bars = vowels, Short bars = consonants

Name Statistics

📊
Syllables
2 syllables
🗣️
Ease of Pronunciation
Easy
4/10 difficulty
🌍
International Friendliness
Excellent
10/10 global ease
Pronunciation Difficulty Comparison

How does William compare to the average name?

William4/10 😐
4.0
Average Name5.0/10
5.0

William is easier than average by 1.0 points.

Difficulty Scale:

Very Easy (02)
Easy (24)William
Moderate (46)
Challenging (68)
Difficult (911)
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Name Family

Names related to William (root: will)

Current Name

William

Related Names (10)

Short variations:

Will
Willa

Medium variations:

Willah

Long variations:

Willabell
Willabella
Willabelle
Willadean
Willadeen
Willadene
Willadine

William belongs to a family of 10 related names.

What does the name William mean?
The meaning and origin of William

The name William has no known meanings.

Name Numerology
Numerological analysis and letter patterns for William

Life Path Number

7
The Seeker

Deep thinkers who seek truth, knowledge, and spiritual understanding.

Analytical
Spiritual
Introspective
Wise

Most Common Letters

i×2
l×2
w×1
a×1
m×1

Sound Composition

Vowels
3(43%)
Consonants
4(57%)

Consonant-heavy names tend to sound more crisp and strong

Numerology Breakdown

w5
i9
l3
l3
i9
a1
m4

Each letter is assigned a number (1-9). These are added together and reduced to find your Life Path Number.

Notable People Named William
Famous individuals named William
👤

Leslie Nielsen

Canadian-American actor and comedian (1926–2010)

Born: 1926

👤

William Marçais

French orientalist (1872-1956)

Born: 1872

👤

William Harvell

Olympic cyclist

Born: 1907

👤

William Wrede

German Lutheran theologian (1859–1906)

Born: 1859

How popular is the name William?
Popularity rankings for William around the world
CountryGenderRankYears
Australiaboy#32019-2019
Belgiumboy#402018-2018
Canadaboy#82018-2018
Denmarkboy#12018-2018
Franceboy#852018-2018
Irelandboy#512019-2019
Italyboy#1232018-2018
Netherlandsboy#3402019-2019
New Zealandboy#82019-2019
Norwayboy#62018-2018
Portugalboy#622018-2018
Swedenboy#22019-2019
Switzerlandboy#752018-2018
United Kingdomboy#142018-2018
United Statesboy#32018-2018
United Statesgirl#9581987-1987
Country Comparison
How William ranks across different countries

Showing top 10 countries by ranking (lower rank = more popular)

What names are similar to William?
Names similar to William
What words rhyme with the name William?
Rhyming words for William
fitzwilliam
mcwilliam
wm

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you pronounce William?
IPA: /ˈwɪljəm/ ARPA: W IH1 L Y AH0 M This name has a moderate pronunciation difficulty.
How many syllables are in William?
William has 2 syllables.
Is William easy to pronounce?
William is relatively easy to pronounce for most English speakers. It doesn't contain uncommon sound combinations.
Is William easy to pronounce internationally?
Yes, William is extremely international-friendly (10/10). It uses sounds that are common across many languages and cultures, making it easy for people worldwide to pronounce.
Who are some famous people named William?
There are 100 notable people named William. This name has significant cultural presence and recognition.
What names are similar to William?
Names similar to William include: Will, Willa, Willabell, Willabella, Willabelle. These names share similar sounds or roots.
Is William a good baby name?
William is a good baby name, particularly if you value names that are internationally friendly.
Is William a boy or girl name?
William can be used for any gender, though usage varies by culture and region. Check the rankings section to see gender distribution patterns.
How do you spell William?
The name is spelled W-i-l-l-i-a-m. Common spelling variations include: Will, Willa, Willabell.
What are common nicknames for William?
Common nicknames for William include: Wil, Willy, Wilie. Nicknames often develop naturally based on personal preference and family traditions.
What does the name William mean?
The name William has various meanings depending on cultural origin. Names often carry rich cultural, historical, and linguistic significance passed down through generations. Different cultures and languages may attribute different meanings to the same name, reflecting diverse traditions and histories.
What middle names go well with William?
Middle names that pair well with William include: Elizabeth, Alexander, Benjamin. Consider the flow and rhythm when saying the full name aloud. Names with different syllable counts often create a pleasant cadence.
What sibling names pair well with William?
Sibling names that pair well with William include: Will, Willa, Willabell, Willabella. These names share similar origins, sounds, or cultural backgrounds, creating a cohesive family naming theme.
Will teachers be able to pronounce William?
Most teachers will be able to pronounce William correctly after hearing it once or twice. It's relatively phonetic and doesn't contain unusual sound combinations. You may need to provide pronunciation guidance at the start of each school year.
What culture is the name William from?
William has a multicultural heritage, with potential roots in multiple linguistic and cultural traditions. Many names have complex etymological paths, being borrowed, adapted, and adopted across different cultures throughout history. This cultural journey often enriches the name with multiple layers of meaning and significance, reflecting the interconnected nature of human societies and their naming traditions.
Is William suitable for a professional career?
William is well-suited for professional contexts. It's internationally friendly for global careers and appropriate length for business cards and email addresses. Names that are easy to say, spell, and remember often have advantages in career settings, though ultimately competence matters far more than name choice.
Is William a long or short name?
William is a short name with 7 letters (2 syllables). Short names are practical and easy to use in everyday contexts. They rarely need nicknames.
What are common misspellings of William?
Common spelling variations of William include: Willa, Willah. Always verify the correct spelling with the parent.
What's the difference between William and Will?
William and Will are related names that share similar origins or sounds. William is spelled William while Will is spelled Will. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference, cultural background, or family tradition.