Willam
Willam is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Resolute protector or desire for protection.
Origin and history
Willam is an archaic or alternative spelling of William, derived from the Germanic elements meaning 'will' or 'desire' and 'helmet' or 'protection'. Historically recorded in medieval English and European documents, it has remained a rare variant in the United States compared to the dominant spelling William.
Popularity in the United States
3,516 babies in the United States have been named Willam since 1880. It ranks #2156 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1905.
States where it is most popular
- TN (15.3 %)
- TX (14.1 %)
- CA (12 %)
- NC (8.8 %)
- GA (7.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 101 |
| 1890-1900 | 78 |
| 1900-1910 | 62 |
| 1910-1920 | 256 |
| 1920-1930 | 560 |
| 1930-1940 | 510 |
| 1940-1950 | 518 |
| 1950-1960 | 549 |
| 1960-1970 | 420 |
| 1970-1980 | 181 |
| 1980-1990 | 144 |
| 1990-2000 | 12 |
| 2000-2010 | 61 |
| 2010-2019 | 42 |
| 2020-2029 | 22 |
Famous people named Willam
- Willam Belli: Drag Queen, Actor
Nicknames
Will, Bill, Billy, Willy
Fun facts
- Willam is an older spelling variant of William found in early modern English parish registers and census documents.
- Despite the immense popularity of William, the spelling Willam remains relatively rare in contemporary U.S. birth records.