Wm
Wm is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Resolute protector (as a written abbreviation for William).
Origin and history
Wm is an abbreviated form of the traditional male name William, commonly used in historical written records, vital statistics, and censuses. In the United States, it was frequently recorded in historical birth records during the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a standard clerical abbreviation. Today, it is rarely given as an official legal first name, with parents preferring the full spelling William.
Popularity in the United States
2,650 babies in the United States have been named Wm since 1880. It ranks #2517 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- OH (21.3 %)
- IL (13.8 %)
- NY (12.9 %)
- PA (12.9 %)
- IN (7.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 175 |
| 1890-1900 | 183 |
| 1900-1910 | 240 |
| 1910-1920 | 588 |
| 1920-1930 | 576 |
| 1930-1940 | 132 |
| 1940-1950 | 69 |
| 1950-1960 | 6 |
| 1960-1970 | 125 |
| 1970-1980 | 262 |
| 1980-1990 | 273 |
| 1990-2000 | 21 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Fun facts
- Wm was historically one of the most common standard abbreviations used by census takers and registry clerks in the 19th century.
- Many U.S. birth records from the late 1800s index individuals under Wm due to clerk shorthand for William.