Wilhelm
VIL-helm
A Germanic name meaning “helmet of resolution” or “willful protector.”
Meaning
Wilhelm comes from the old Germanic elements wil meaning “will” or “resolution” and helm meaning “helmet” or “protection.” In the older name-book tradition, it is glossed as “helmet of resolution,” and related explanations also give the sense of a strong or steadfast protector. It is the German form behind William.
Origin
Old High GermanGermanmasculine
Fun fact
The same name family produced William in English and Wilhelmina as a feminine form.
Confidence: mixed. Sources: History of Christian Names, Praenomina; or, the etymology of the principal Christian names of Great Britain and Ireland.