William is a masculine given name of Germanic origin that gained prominence in England following the Norman conquest of 1066. It has remained a consistently popular name throughout the Middle Ages and into the modern era. Common abbreviations and familiar forms include Will, Willy, Bill, and Billy.
The name's enduring popularity is notable due to its widespread use across English-speaking countries and its association with numerous historical and contemporary figures. This includes royalty, such as King William the Conqueror and the current Prince of Wales, as well as many influential individuals in various fields like politics, arts, and sciences.
Recently, the name has appeared in news headlines primarily in the context of obituaries for individuals named William from various American cities, as well as in sports reporting. These references highlight the commonality of the name in everyday life, from local community members to collegiate athletics.
This frequent appearance in current news underscores how the name William continues to be prevalent in modern society, connecting its rich historical legacy with contemporary usage across different regions and contexts.
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- William Reisdorff Obituary (2025) - Omaha, NE - Omaha World-Herald - Legacy | Obituary 2025-11-20 15:05 · Legacy | Obituary
- William Bailey Obituary (2025) - Dayton, OH - Dayton Daily News - Legacy | Obituary 2025-11-20 15:05 · Legacy | Obituary
- William Lohoefener Obituary (1944 - 2025) - Savannah, GA - North Platte Telegraph - Legacy | Obituary 2025-11-20 15:04 · Legacy | Obituary
- William J. Istvan, Shallotte - Goldsboro News-Argus 2025-11-20 15:00 · Goldsboro News-Argus
- Falcons’ late comeback attempt falls short in 82-74 loss to William & Mary - BG Falcon Media 2025-11-20 14:39 · BG Falcon Media
- How to watch Bowling Green Falcons vs. William & Mary Tribe: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Nov. 19 - College Sports Wire 2025-11-20 14:29 · College Sports Wire
- William Ziebell Obituary - Fishers, IN - Chicago Tribune 2025-11-20 14:22 · Chicago Tribune
- David William Roalf Obituary (2025) - Scottsdale, AZ - Messinger Mortuaries- Indian School Mortuary - Legacy | Obituary 2025-11-20 14:19 · Legacy | Obituary
- William R. Beck - Dubois County Herald 2025-11-20 14:15 · Dubois County Herald
- William Blakeslee Chapel - The Morning Call 2025-11-20 14:04 · The Morning Call