The Art of Naming: Nicknames for William

There are few names that have been borne by as many important figures in history as William. Kings, presidents, writers, scientists, athletes, actors, tech wizards....without Williams, the world as we know it would be a very different place! While some of them, like William Shakespeare, are known by the full name, others, such as Bill Gates, are mostly known by their nicknames. Bill is used so commonly that it makes you wonder...are there any other less common nicknames for William out there?

History of the name

A name with a past as rich as William is bound to have an interesting history, and if you are as fascinated by the origins of names and the way they evolve in to their present day usage as I am, you will not be disappointed.

William is derived from two words in the Germanic language, “gild” (meaning gold) and “helm” (meaning helmet). As the story I’ve heard goes, Gildhelm was a title of bravery given to Germans for killing Roman soldiers in battle.

Yup, the Romans – that’s how far back this name’s history goes! After killing a Roman, the honored soldier would be lifted on a shield and given one of the Romans’ golden helmets along with the title Gildhelm.

Some other sources point to slightly different origins, “wil” (desire, or will) and “helm”, from which we get the German name Wilhelm.

The name’s use spread throughout Europe and soon other variants came to be in different languages, including the Dutch Willem and the French Guillaume. It was a French Guillaume who brought the popular name to England, where he became known as William the Conqueror, who became the first Norman king of England.

Popularity Of the Name

Since the days of William the Conqueror, the name’s popularity exploded. It has been the name of numerous kings throughout Europe (including the future king of England, Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge), as well as the name of four Presidents of the United States (the most recent, of course, is William Jefferson Clinton, who goes by the casual Bill).

Today, William is enjoying a slight surge of popularity on the Social Security Administration’s baby name rankings. It held steady as the second most popular name for baby boys in the US for many years up until the 1920s, when it began a very slow and very slight decline.

Between 1920 and 1995, William slid very slowly down to a low point of number 20 on the charts. It bounced back quickly, though. Ten years later it was back in the top ten names, and in 2017 it was once again in the top three names.

Most Popular Throughout History

The name Jade has a beautiful, earthy sound to it. A more modern name, only coming into common practice since the 1970s, the name itself has a deep and rich history outside of children’s names. How do you choose a middle name for Jade? There a multitude of possibilities, but the history behind the name may be helpful in helping to choose the perfect name to accompany Jade. Name Meaning The name Jade originated in Spain, being called piedra de la ijada which translates to “stone of the colic (or flank).” The Spanish believed that the stone jade had the ability to cure colic in babies when placed upon the stomach. In Chinese culture, jade is considered to be one of the country’s most precious stones. Confucius, a well-known Chinese philosopher, believed the stone to have properties that encouraged purity, bravery, and honesty. The stone is a beautiful shade of green and is also very hard, making it difficult for craftsmen to work with, making any jewelry or statues made of jade during ancient times priceless. The name became a more popular name for babies during the 1970s but has risen in popularity since the 1990s, usually fluctuating between the top 100 and 150 names in popularity. While this means that the name Jade is more common, it is also low enough on the charts that it would still be a beautifully unique name for your child. Earth Names Since the name Jade is shared with the stone, choosing a middle name that has an earth-based connection makes sense. Names like Jade Skye, Jade Heather, Jade Iris, Jade Juniper, Jade Laurel, Jade Opal, Jade Pearl, Jade Savannah, Jade Sierra, Jade Blossom, Jade Amber, Jade Ivory, Jade Hazel, Jade Ginger, Jade Olive, Jade River, or Jade Ember would be fantastic choices. Some of these share the same commonalities with jade, by also being names of stones, while others are simply elements found out in nature. Classic Names Because Jade is a relatively recent name in terms of use for children, you might be tempted to pair it with a name that has a deeper history. Names like Jade Elizabeth, Jade Charlotte, Jade Ella, Jade Audrey, Jade Grace, Jade Eleanor, Jade Alice, Jade Rose, Jade Stella, Jade Violet, Jade Evelyn, Jade Leona, Jade Lillian, Jade Mae, Jade Minnie, or Jade Marjorie are all names that have been used throughout history for some time. Deeper Meaning Names Though the name Jade itself doesn’t have a deep meaning, the belief of the Chinese culture that the stone held powers for purity, bravery, and honesty could provide suggestions for middle names as well. Names that mean pure: Jade Agata, Jade Annabell, Jade Anessa, Jade Caetlyn, Jade Candace, Jade Crystal, Jade Dionna, Jade Genny, Jade Ines, Jade Kadie, Jade Kandace, Jade Katarina, Jade Lillianne, Jade Mallie, Jade Mina, Jade Phoebe, Jade Psyche, Jade Rosamund. Names that mean brave: Jade Amerie, Jade Andreia, Jade Bernadette, Jade Brileigh, Jade Doria, Jade Everley, Jade Kelsee, Jade Lenna, Jade Leona, Jade Nadette, Jade Riley, Jade Valerie. Names that mean honest: Jade Alysa, Jade Alyson, Jade Amena, Jade Avalynn, Jade Nikole, and Jade Veronica. Family Name Nothing can hold a deeper or truer meaning to a parent or child than knowing that they were named after a loved one. Whether sharing the name of a mother, grandmother, aunt, or even a very close friend, giving your child the middle name of a loved one is a wonderful way to show how much you care for both parties. If he shares the name with her mother, it can instill a deeper bond between the two of them, and if named after another loved one, your child can enjoy hearing the tales of why you chose to name him after her relative. Giving a family name isn’t necessary to create a strong family bond with your child, but providing a backstory on a family name can give your child a glance at the history of her family and can help shape her future. Conclusion Despite lacking a beautiful meaning, Jade is a name that has withstood the hands of time by beginning as the name of a stone and transitioning into a name for children as well. In other cultures, jade is valued as a precious stone, even comparable to diamonds. With the belief that the stone holds properties such as purity, bravery, and honesty, naming your child Jade could potentially give your daughter a deeper meaning behind her name, and possibly an interest in other cultures as well. Whether you choose to match the name with an earth-based middle name, a classical one, one that has a deeper meaning, or a family name, you will be blessing your baby with a name that can withstand time as well as the beautiful, green stone.

William has been such a popular name for such a long time that naturally, people had to find ways to distinguish one William from another.

In the Middle Ages, it was a very common trend to simply swap the first letter of a name for another letter. Somewhat amazingly, this nickname practice is still around hundreds of years later.

Although Will is also commonly used, Bill is probably the most popular nickname for William, although it has fallen somewhat out of style in recent times.

Most Bills around today (and there are definitely a lot of them!) were born before the 1980s. As hard as it might be to picture a baby named Bill, in their youth most of those Bills probably went by Billy.

I still think Billy is an adorable nickname, and fits right in with many of the vintage nicknames that are in style in the UK right now, such as Freddie and Alfie.

If you’re looking for a less popular name, the fact that Billy/Bill are more commonly seen in our grandparents’ generation could actually work out in your favor.

Most Popular Today

Traditionally an Irish short form of the name, in recent years Liam has shot up the popularity charts in the US as a separate entry. It barely registered on the popularity charts at all until the 1980s, when it began its gradual ascent. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s its popularity continued to increase until it finally hit number one on the SSA chart in 2017.

So yes- Liam is popular, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

If Liam appeals to you, using it as a nickname for William can be a good way to keep your options open.

If it turns out there are multiple Liams in your child’s class and he wants to stand out a bit more, he can explore some of the lesser used nicknames for William.

Lesser Known Nicknames for William

Lesser known nicknames for William can include Wylie, Wilkin (a medieval English nickname), Wim (a popular nickname for the Dutch Willem), and Guy (from the French Guillaume).

I’ve also heard of Wally and Whit being used, or you can take inspiration from Prince William and use Wills.

Conclusion

William is a name with a proud and noble history. Although its nickname options are not as plentiful as female names with similar histories, such as Margaret and Elizabeth, there are still some great options to explore.