Wilhelm Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Wilhelm originates from Old High German, meaning 'strong-willed protector'. It has evolved through various forms and is related to the name William. Wilhelm is often associated with historical figures of nobility and strength, while it does not have biblical relevance.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Wilhelm"
Pronunciation
/ˈvɪlhɛlm/
Origin
Old High German
Etymology
The name Wilhelm is derived from the Old High German elements 'wil' meaning 'will or desire' and 'helm' meaning 'helmet or protection'.
Meaning
Strong-willed protector
Language Evolution
Willihelm, Wilhelm, William
Historical Usage
Wilhelm gained popularity in Germany during the Middle Ages and was notably used by several Holy Roman Emperors and kings, contributing to its prominence.
Variants & Derivatives
William, Wil, Willie, Wilma
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Wilhelm is viewed as a traditional name in German-speaking countries, often associated with strength and nobility.
Famous People
Wilhelm II of Germany, Wilhelm Grimm, Wilhelm Röntgen
📊 Wilhelm Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Wilhelm Name Visualizations
✨ Wilhelm Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 38 peak births in 2014
Geographic Spread
Popular across 5 US states, with strongest presence in Iowa
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Wilhelm"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Wilhelm"
"Wilhelm" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1726th of 7545 | 312 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2385th of 6773 | 184 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2371st of 7552 | 224 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2773rd of 10718 | 207 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4118th of 16616 | 194 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 4408th of 24088 | 314 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 4199th of 23106 | 294 |
Regional Popularity of "Wilhelm" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
72.32% 1024th/1416 |
81.94% 1130th/1379 |
- | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
54.94% 1335th/2430 |
- |
60.61% 1682nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - |
60.78% 2458th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - |
60.06% 3794th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Wilhelm" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Wilhelm"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Wilhelm" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Wilhelm" in the United States
The name Wilhelm is most popular in Iowa, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Wilhelm has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Wilhelm' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1726th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2385th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2371st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2773rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4118th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4408th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 4199th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Wilhelm' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.