Willehelm

Willehelm is an Old High German given name composed of the elements willo, meaning will or desire, and helm, meaning helmet or protection, together conveying a sense of resolute protector. It is the earliest attested Germanic form of the name that later developed into the widely used Wilhelm in German and William in English. The name spread throughout medieval Europe largely through the influence of Norman and Frankish aristocracy. Variant forms and cognates include Wilhelm, William, Guillaume, and Vilhelm.