UK boy's name
Willem
A Dutch masculine given name derived from the Germanic elements "wil" (will, desire) and "helm" (helmet, protection).
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Willem is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Willem popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2921, with 7 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 34 births.
This profile covers 527 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. 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.
The latest count is about 21% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 523 living people in the UK are called Willem. 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 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Willem ranked #2921 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 7 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2008, when 34 boys were registered as Willem.
- • About 523 living people in the UK are estimated to have Willem as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2921
2024
Births in 2024
7
Latest year
Peak year
2008
34 births
Estimated living
523
2026
Meaning
What does Willem mean?
The name Willem originated from the Germanic languages, stemming from the combination of the elements "wil" meaning "will or desire" and "helm" meaning "helmet or protection." It is a variant spelling of the name William, which has its roots in Old German and Old French.
In the early medieval period, the name Willem gained popularity across various regions of Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of Germany. It was often associated with strength, bravery, and nobility, reflecting the warrior culture of the time.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Willem can be traced back to the 9th century, when a Frisian ruler named Willem van Egmond wielded significant influence in the region now known as the Netherlands. His legacy as a skilled military leader and diplomat helped establish the name's prestige.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Willem. Among them are Willem van Oranje (1533-1584), a Dutch nobleman and the main leader of the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule, earning him the title "Father of the Fatherland." Another prominent figure was Willem de Zwijger (1533-1584), also known as William the Silent, a renowned statesman and the founder of the House of Orange-Nassau.
In the realm of art, Willem Claeszoon Heda (1594-1680) was a renowned Dutch Golden Age painter, known for his exquisite still life paintings. The name also graced the renowned Dutch philosopher and mathematician, Willem Kloos (1859-1938), who played a significant role in the Symbolist movement in literature.
Across the Atlantic, Willem Usselinx (1567-1647) was a pioneering Flemish businessman and founding director of the Dutch West India Company, contributing to the establishment of Dutch colonies in the Americas.
These are just a few examples of the rich historical tapestry woven by individuals bearing the name Willem, showcasing its enduring presence across various domains, from politics and military to art and philosophy.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Willem over time
The chart below shows babies named Willem registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Willem, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 7 births in 2024, compared with 34 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Willem by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Willem 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #2632 | 38 | 5 |
| 2010s | #1513 | 169 | 10 |
| 2000s | #902 | 243 | 10 |
| 1990s | #836 | 77 | 4 |
Notable bearers
Famous people named Willem
-
Willem Tomlinson
association football player
association football player (born 1998)
1998-
-
Willem Siebenhaar
poet; translator; chess player
Twentieth-century Australian poet and public servant
1863-1936
-
Willem Tinker
photographer
Dutch photographer (1816–1894)
1816-1894
-
Willem Bentinck
politician; diplomat
Dutch politician (1704-1774)
1704-1774
-
Willem van Keppel, 2nd Earl of Albemarle
diplomat
British diplomat and courtier (1702-1754)
1702-1754
-
Willem I van Citters
1685-1758
-
Willem Bertram
painter; draftsperson
1584-
Related
Names similar to Willem
- 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
Willem: questions and answers
How popular is the name Willem in the UK right now?
In 2024, Willem was ranked #2921 for boys in England and Wales, with 7 births registered.
When was Willem most popular?
The peak year on record was 2008, with 34 babies registered as Willem in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Willem?
A Dutch masculine given name derived from the Germanic elements "wil" (will, desire) and "helm" (helmet, protection).
How many people are called Willem in the UK?
A total of 527 babies have been registered as Willem across the 29 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.