The name story
The story carried by William
From Germanic Willehelm, formed from elements meaning “will” or “desire” and “helmet” or “protection.”
The living name encyclopedia
William
WIL-yum
2025 U.S. snapshot
How often was it recorded?
The name against itself
Its path since 2000
In your state
How likely is another child to share it?
Choose a state for SSA-recorded birth context.
Evidence and limits
What is fact—and what is not?
- Observed: Rank, count, and trend come from U.S. Social Security card applications.
- Estimated: State classroom likelihood uses released records and an independence assumption. It is not a school prediction.
- Editorial: Meaning, pronunciation, nicknames, and practical notes appear only after review.
- Never inferred: Personality, intelligence, destiny, health, class, or what a child will become.