William is a popular male name with Germanic origins that means “determined protector”. It has been a common name for boys throughout history, used by kings, saints, and fictional characters alike. However, while William remains a quintessentially masculine name, there are several feminine versions that can serve as the female equivalent.
Common Female Versions of William
Here are some of the most popular feminine forms of William:
- Wilhelmina – The most direct female form of William, Wilhelmina has Germanic roots just like William. It means “determined protector”.
- Willa – A shortened, feminine form of Wilhelmina. Willa has a soft, delicate sound.
- Billie – Originally derived from William, Billie started as a nickname but is now used as a given name for girls.
- Wilma – A vintage name that peaked in popularity in the 1920s. It comes from the Germanic name Wilhelmine.
- Willy – A cute, spunky nickname suitable for a girl.
- Wilmette – An elaboration on Wilhelmina, Wilmette has a melodic French flair.
- Mina – Can be short for Wilhelmina. Mina has a simple, minimalist appeal.
Origins and Meanings
As mentioned, these female versions of William generally share the same Germanic roots. Here are some details on the origins and meanings behind these names:
- Wilhelmina – Germanic elements wil “will, desire” and helm “helmet, protection”.
- Willa – Derived from Wilhelmina, so shares the same meaning.
- Billie – Originally a nickname for William, but now an independent name. From Germanic wil and helm.
- Wilma – Germanic roots wil and helm, with influence from the Roman name Wilma.
- Willy – Also shares the meaning “determined protector”.
- Wilmette – French place name combining Germanic wil and helm with French -ette.
- Mina – Derived from Wilhelmina. Means “protector”.
Popularity and Usage
While William has remained in the top 10 most popular boy’s names for decades, its female counterparts have waxed and waned in usage over the years. Here’s an overview of their popularity:
- Wilhelmina – Always an uncommon name, but peaked around the early 1900s. Still used but remains quite rare.
- Willa – Gaining popularity recently. Ranked #158 for girls in 2021, its highest ever.
- Billie – Surged in usage as a girl’s name in the 1950s and 60s. Still moderately common today.
- Wilma – Very popular name for girls in the 1920s and 30s. Now considered a grandmother name.
- Willy – Uncommon as an official given name, more often a nickname.
- Wilmette – A rare name, has never ranked on the popularity lists.
- Mina – Has seen increased usage in the 2010s. Ranked #339 in 2021.
While not nearly as popular as William itself, these feminine variations give parents more options for honoring a beloved William in their family or getting that cute “Billie” nickname for their daughter.
Famous Namesakes
Though not as widely used as their masculine counterpart, some of these feminine forms of William have been borne by famous women through history, including:
- Wilhelmina – Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands ruled from 1890 to 1948.
- Billie – Legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday, born Eleanora Fagan.
- Willa – American author Willa Cather, famous for novels like O Pioneers! and My Ántonia.
- Wilma – Wilma Rudolf was the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field in the 1960 Olympics.
So while William remains associated with masculinity, these women helped give its female equivalents wider visibility and appeal.
Conclusion
Although William is traditionally a boy’s name, there are a range of feminine forms that allow girls to bear a similar name. Options like Wilhelmina, Willa, Billie, and Mina all share the Germanic roots and “determined protector” meaning of William. While never as popular as William itself, several of these female versions have seen rising usage in recent years as parents look for fresh spins on classic names. So for those who want to pass down William to their daughter in some form, these creative alternatives offer the perfect solution.