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William

Gender: M

Origin of William: English from German

Meaning of William: "resolute protection"

William's Popularity in 2011: #3

William is a newsy name of the moment, thanks to the marriage of Britain's Prince William to Kate Middleton. William has been among the most enduring of classics, currently standing at a solid Number 3. In the last year, the name has been chosen and counted by more than 17,000 American parents as being ideally conservative yet contemporary. For 400 years, William has been second only to John as the most popular name in the English-speaking world.

In terms of short forms, yesterday's Bills and Billys have given way to today's Wills -- or Williams, with no diminutive--though a few hip Billys, including Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Burton's, have surfaced recently. But Will, sometimes used on its own, is still the most stylish William nickname.

The name was introduced to England by William the Conqueror, and has long reigned as a royal name in the UK. There are tons of worthy namesakes called William, including William Shakespeare, Bill Gates, Will Smith, and four US presidents.

Bill, Bille, Billie, Billy, Pim, Wiley, Wilkes, Wilkie, Wilkinson, Will, Willi, Williamson, Willie, Willis, Wills, Willy, Wilmar, Wilson, Wim

People who liked William also like:

Amelia, Audrey, Aurora, Claire, Eliza, Esmé, Imogen, Lucy, Charles, Edward, Owen, Julian, Liam, Victor, Sebastian

Famous People Named William
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William Henry Harrison, 9th president of the USA
William "Bill" Clinton, 42nd president of the USA
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge
William Faulkner, iconic American writer
William Bradley "Brad" Pitt, American actor
William "Bill" Gates, American businessman and mogal
William Shakespeare, English poet and writer
William "Bill" Paxton - American actor
William H. Macy - American actor
William Hurt - American actor
William Bradley "Brad" Pitt - American actor
Pop Culture References for the Name William
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William Riker, from Star Trek: the Next Generation
William "Will", from Nicholas Spark's 'The Last Song'
William "Will" Truman, from the TV series 'Will & Grace'
William "Will" Shuester, from the TV series 'Glee'
William "Will" Herondale from Cassandra Clare's "Clockwork Angel"
William Mason, the second footman of Downton Abbey
William Birkin, a character in the video game series Resident Evil
William Baker, the sandman from Spiderman

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