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 (0–2)
Easy (2–4)← William
Moderate (4–6)
Challenging (6–8)
Difficult (9–11)
👨👩👧👦Name Family
Names related to William (root: will)
Current Name
William
Related Names (15)
Short variations:
Will
Willa
Medium variations:
Willah
Willaim
Willam
Willamae
Long variations:
Willabell
Willabella
Willabelle
Willadean
Willadeen
Willadene
Willadine
Willamena
Willamina
William belongs to a family of 30 related names.Showing 15 most common variations.
What does the name William mean?
The meaning and origin of William
From Germanic \Wilhelm\ composed of \wil\ (will, desire) and \helm\ (helmet, protection).
Meaning Theme
The emotional tone and themes in William's meanings
Primary Theme
📖
Descriptive
Based on origin, place, or historical context
Theme Distribution
Descriptive
1
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
Where is William popular?
Countries where William ranks in the top baby names
How popular is the name William?
Popularity rankings and trends for William around the world
William Popularity in United States
Historical ranking trend for boys named William
Lower rank numbers indicate higher popularity (e.g., #1 is most popular)
William Popularity in United States
Historical ranking trend for girls named William
Lower rank numbers indicate higher popularity (e.g., #1 is most popular)
Country Comparison
How William ranks across different countries
Showing top 10 countries by ranking (lower rank = more popular)
Parents who like William also like these names
Names similar to William in style, sound, and origin
What words rhyme with the name William?
Rhyming words for William
fitzwilliam
mcwilliam
wm
Frequently Asked Questions
How popular is William in Australia?
William is very popular in Australia as of 2024, ranking at #11. It ranks in the top 20 boys' names.
How popular is William in Belgium?
William is quite popular in Belgium as of 2018, ranking at #40. It ranks in the top 50 boys' names.
How popular is William in Canada?
William is extremely popular in Canada as of 2018, ranking at #8. It's one of the top ten most popular boys' names in the country.
How popular is William in Denmark?
William is extremely popular in Denmark as of 2018, ranking at #1. It's one of the top three most popular boys' names in the country.
How popular is William in France?
William is moderately popular in France as of 2018, ranking at #85. It ranks in the top 100 boys' names.
How popular is William in Ireland?
William is moderately popular in Ireland as of 2019, ranking at #51. It ranks in the top 100 boys' names.
How popular is William in Italy?
William is somewhat popular in Italy as of 2018, ranking at #123. It ranks in the top 200 boys' names.
How popular is William in Netherlands?
William is used but uncommon in Netherlands as of 2019, ranking at #340. While it is used as a boys' name, it's relatively uncommon.
How popular is William in New Zealand?
William is very popular in New Zealand as of 2024, ranking at #17. It ranks in the top 20 boys' names.
How popular is William in Norway?
William is extremely popular in Norway as of 2018, ranking at #6. It's one of the top ten most popular boys' names in the country.
How popular is William in Portugal?
William is moderately popular in Portugal as of 2018, ranking at #62. It ranks in the top 100 boys' names.
How popular is William in Sweden?
William is extremely popular in Sweden as of 2019, ranking at #2. It's one of the top three most popular boys' names in the country.
How popular is William in Switzerland?
William is moderately popular in Switzerland as of 2018, ranking at #75. It ranks in the top 100 boys' names.
How popular is William in United Kingdom?
William is quite popular in United Kingdom as of 2024, ranking at #27. It ranks in the top 50 boys' names.
How popular is William in United States?
William is extremely popular in United States as of 2024, ranking at #10. It's one of the top ten most popular boys' names in the country.
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 means "From Germanic \Wilhelm\ composed of \wil\ (will, desire) and \helm\ (helmet, protection)." This name carries significant cultural and historical weight, reflecting the traditions and values of the cultures from which it originates. The meaning of a name often influences how it is perceived and can hold special significance for families choosing this name for their child.
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 originates from German culture. German names often have Germanic or Old High German origins, frequently combining elements that describe characteristics, occupations, or familial relationships. Understanding a name's cultural origin provides insight into its deeper significance and the traditions it represents.
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, Willaim. 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.