Find out how popular the first name Willam has been for the last 49 years (from 1974 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Willam by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Willam is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Willam.

The history of the first name Willam

The given name Willam originates from the Germanic languages, derived from the Old German name Willhelm. It is composed of two elements: "wil" meaning "will" or "desire," and "helm" meaning "helmet" or "protection." The name was popular among the ancient Germanic tribes and was later adopted by various cultures across Europe.

The earliest recorded use of the name Willam dates back to the 8th century, appearing in medieval manuscripts and historical records. It gained widespread popularity during the Middle Ages, particularly among the nobility and ruling classes. One of the most notable early bearers of the name was William the Conqueror, the Norman king who conquered England in 1066.

In the Christian tradition, the name Willam has been associated with several saints and religious figures. Saint William of Vercelli, an Italian hermit and founder of the Williamite order, lived in the 12th century. Saint William of York, an English archbishop and reformer, was active in the 12th century as well.

Throughout history, the name Willam has been borne by numerous influential individuals. William Shakespeare (1564-1616), the renowned English playwright and poet, is perhaps the most famous bearer of the name. His works have had a profound impact on literature and the English language.

Another notable figure was William the Silent (1533-1584), the Dutch statesman and leader of the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule. He is considered the founder of the Netherlands and a key figure in the Dutch struggle for independence.

In the realm of science, William Herschel (1738-1822) was a German-born British astronomer who discovered the planet Uranus and made significant contributions to the study of the solar system.

William Wilberforce (1759-1833) was a British politician and philanthropist who played a crucial role in the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire.

Finally, William Wallace (c. 1270-1305) was a Scottish knight and revolutionary who led the resistance against the English occupation of Scotland, as depicted in the film "Braveheart."

These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Willam, showcasing its enduring popularity and significance across various cultures and eras.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Willam was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Willam, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!