Wilhelmus

Wilhelmus is the Latinized form of the Germanic name Wilhelm, composed of the elements wil, meaning will or desire, and helm, meaning helmet or protection. The name was widely used in medieval scholarly and ecclesiastical contexts, where Latin forms of vernacular names were standard, and it appears frequently in historical documents from the Low Countries. It remains in use as a formal given name in the Netherlands, where it is also known as the opening word of the Dutch national anthem, Het Wilhelmus, named in honor of Willem van Oranje. Related forms include Wilhelm, Willem, William, and Guillermo.