UK boy's name
Willam
A variant form of the English masculine name William, derived from Germanic elements meaning "resolute protection".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2010. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Willam is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Willam popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2010 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4678, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2010, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2010 to 2010. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
Willam is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Willam. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2011 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Willam ranked #4678 for boys in England and Wales in 2010, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2010, when 3 boys were registered as Willam.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Willam as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4678
2010
Births in 2010
3
Latest year
Peak year
2010
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Willam mean?
The given name Willam originates from the Germanic languages, derived from the Old German name Willhelm. It is composed of two elements: "wil" meaning "will" or "desire," and "helm" meaning "helmet" or "protection." The name was popular among the ancient Germanic tribes and was later adopted by various cultures across Europe.
The earliest recorded use of the name Willam dates back to the 8th century, appearing in medieval manuscripts and historical records. It gained widespread popularity during the Middle Ages, particularly among the nobility and ruling classes. One of the most notable early bearers of the name was William the Conqueror, the Norman king who conquered England in 1066.
In the Christian tradition, the name Willam has been associated with several saints and religious figures. Saint William of Vercelli, an Italian hermit and founder of the Williamite order, lived in the 12th century. Saint William of York, an English archbishop and reformer, was active in the 12th century as well.
Throughout history, the name Willam has been borne by numerous influential individuals. William Shakespeare (1564-1616), the renowned English playwright and poet, is perhaps the most famous bearer of the name. His works have had a profound impact on literature and the English language.
Another notable figure was William the Silent (1533-1584), the Dutch statesman and leader of the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule. He is considered the founder of the Netherlands and a key figure in the Dutch struggle for independence.
In the realm of science, William Herschel (1738-1822) was a German-born British astronomer who discovered the planet Uranus and made significant contributions to the study of the solar system.
William Wilberforce (1759-1833) was a British politician and philanthropist who played a crucial role in the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire.
Finally, William Wallace (c. 1270-1305) was a Scottish knight and revolutionary who led the resistance against the English occupation of Scotland, as depicted in the film "Braveheart."
These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Willam, showcasing its enduring popularity and significance across various cultures and eras.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Willam by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Willam was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4678 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Willam
- William 117,982
- Wilfred 5,302
- Will 3,185
- Warren 2,787
- Wyatt 2,604
- Wesley 2,513
- Woody 1,951
- Walter 1,918
- Wiktor 1,354
- Wayne 979
- Wilbur 975
- Wade 902
FAQ
Willam: questions and answers
How popular is the name Willam in the UK right now?
In 2010, Willam was ranked #4678 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Willam most popular?
The peak year on record was 2010, with 3 babies registered as Willam in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Willam?
A variant form of the English masculine name William, derived from Germanic elements meaning "resolute protection".
How many people are called Willam in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Willam across the 1 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.