Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “William” come from?

William comes from Anglo-Norman Willame, a name of Germanic origin meaning "resolute protector."

Ancestry of “William”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Anglo-NormanWillame—
2Old High GermanWillahelmWilliam
3Old High Germanhelmhelmet
4Proto-West Germanichelmhelmet
5Proto-Germanichelmazhelmet
6Proto-Germanichalmazhalm; stem; stalk; straw; hay
7Proto-Indo-Europeanḱolh₂mosstalk
8Proto-Indo-Europeanḱelh₂-to pierce, strike; to stick; prick; stab

Words derived from “William”

  • Bill
  • Billy
  • Billie
  • Wilmot
  • Fitzwilliam
  • Willems
  • billy
  • Gilliam
  • hillbilly
  • Willmott
  • Gillam
  • Gillham
  • Wilmott
  • Williamite
  • Gillum
  • Willmot
  • Gilham
  • Willment
  • Billygate
  • Willimott
  • Williment
  • Willmett
  • hillbillyish
  • billy cart
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ḱelh₂- →