Vilhelm

Vilhelm is the Scandinavian and Finnish form of William, derived from the Old High German elements wil, meaning will or desire, and helm, meaning helmet or protection, together conveying the sense of a resolute protector. The name entered Scandinavia through the widespread influence of Germanic naming traditions during the medieval period. Notable bearers include Vilhelm Hammershøi, the celebrated Danish painter, and Vilhelm Bjerknes, the Norwegian meteorologist. Related forms include Wilhelm in German, Willem in Dutch, and Guillermo in Spanish.