User-created list
Alternatives to William
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Willa
Feminine variation of William
"resolute protection"
Willa has become increasingly fashionable, with its combination of Willa (born Wilella) Cather-like pioneer strength and the graceful beauty of the willow tree. Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas are the…
Cillian
Irish
"war strife or church"
Cillian is one of the native Irish names that, along with Aiden and Declan, is becoming an unlikely favorite in contemporary America. The Killian spelling has been more popular in the US, but…
Bill
English, diminutive of William
"resolute protection"
Most Bills today are dads...or grandpas. The younger Williams are usually nicknamed Will, or called by their full names.
Billy
English, diminutive of William
"resolute protection"
Cute kid with freckles, bouncing a Spalding ball. Cool couple Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Burton put the name Billy Burton on their son's birth certificate. While the classic William, name of the…
Fitzwilliam
English
"son of William"
The Christian name of the dashing Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice — it was his mother's maiden name— is just one of several Fitz names, including Fitzroy, Fitzgerald, Fitzpatrick, that…
Guillaume
French variation of William, German
"resolute protection"
An everyday name in France, a charismatic possibility elsewhere, Guillaume is a French form of the classic Germanic William. It's heyday was back in the 1980s and 90s, when it ranked in the French…
Ibraham
Ibraham is a variant spelling of Ibrahim, the Arabic form of Abraham, a name with profound significance across multiple religious traditions. The name derives from ancient Hebrew elements meaning…
Ingraham
Ingraham is a distinguished masculine name of Old English origin, derived from the elements 'Ing' (referring to a Norse god) and 'hām' meaning 'home' or 'homestead.' Originally a surname, Ingraham…
Jack
Pim
Dutch diminutive of Willem or William
"resolute protection"
Short but spirited, Pim is in the Top 200 in The Netherlands, though it is little-known elsewhere. A diminutive of Willem (or William), it possibly emerged via its rhyme with alternative, more direct…
Quilliam
Irish
"son of William"
A really unusual choice that could be used to honor Grandpa Will.
Rahaeim
Rahaeim is an unusual masculine name with possible roots in Arabic or Hebrew naming traditions, though it's not commonly found in standard name dictionaries. The name may be related to 'Rahim' or…
Rahamim
Rahamim is a masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning 'compassion' or 'mercy.' It derives from the Hebrew word 'rachamim,' which refers to deep, tender mercy or compassion, often used in religious…
Uilliam
Irish variation of William
A spelling that would definitely attract a lot of attention -- and a certain amount of confusion as well.
Vilhelm
German variation of William
The way Wilhelm is pronounced anyway, so a pointless spelling variation.
Washington
English
"home of the Wassa people"
Lincoln, Tyler, Taylor, Jackson, Jefferson, Harrison, McKinley, Grant, Kennedy, Carter -- yes. Washington -- probably not.
Wellington
English surname from place name
"people living in the hamlet in the cleared area near the temple"
Wellington is a tony-sounding English surname turned baby name by pregnancy guru Rosie Pope, who calls her son Wells for short. It's also the middle name of one of the Sweet Home sextuplets, Blu…
Wilbur
English, German
"wild boar"
Clunky yet cuddly, Wilbur is a stylish name in the UK where it currently sits in the Top 600, as cool as Rupert or Wilfred. Its merits are starting to be rediscovered in the US, where it was last…
Wilfred
English
"desires peace"
Wilfred is one of those Old Man Names that still sounds fusty in the US but is fashionable in the UK. It comes with readymade short forms Will, Wilf, or Fred and might make an adventurous alternative…
Wilhelm
German variation of William
"resolute protection"
This dignified German form of William belonged to two German Emperors and Kings of Prussia, as well as a host of other important historical figures. These include composer (Wilhelm) Richard Wagner,…