William in Chinese
William in Chinese is 威廉 (Wēi Lián).
- Origin
- Germanic
- Meaning
- resolute protector
The name traces back to Germanic sources, where it is usually explained as "resolute protector". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1950s. Names sharing the same root meaning include Liam.
3 ways to write William
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
威廉
Wēi Lián
The standard transliteration of William: 威 (wēi, "power, majesty"), 廉 (lián, "honest, upright"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Syllable by syllable: 威 (wēi) carries "wil", 廉 (lián) carries "liam". The tone contour is 1-2 (high level, rising).
Character breakdown
22 strokes total (simplified)- 威
wēi
Tone 1 · 9 strokes (simplified)
power, majesty
- 廉
lián
Tone 2 · 13 strokes (simplified)
honest, upright
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
志刚
Zhì Gāng
Inspired by "resolute protector": 志 (zhì, "will, aspiration") + 刚 (gāng, "firm, strong"), expressing strength and courage.
Why these characters?
Because William is linked to "resolute", the name leads with 志 (will, aspiration); 刚 (firm, strong) gives it a natural given-name finish.
Character breakdown
13 strokes total (simplified)- 志
zhì
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
will, aspiration
- 刚
gāng
Tone 1 · 6 strokes (simplified)
firm, strong
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
威毅
Wēi Yì
威 (wēi, "power, majesty") + 毅 (yì, "resolute, persevering"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 威 (wēi), the same opening character as the transliteration 威廉, for the "wil" sound, and replaces the rest with 毅 ("resolute, persevering") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
24 strokes total (simplified)- 威
wēi
Tone 1 · 9 strokes (simplified)
power, majesty
- 毅
yì
Tone 4 · 15 strokes (simplified)
resolute, persevering
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Recent US usage of William
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, William ranked 6 among names recorded for boys, with 68,067 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 4,102,604 boys named William since 1880, with the high point in 1947 (66,986 births) and the busiest decade being the 1950s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #16 to #3 among boys.
- Peak year
- 1947
- Peak decade
- 1950s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 4,102,604
More About William in Chinese
The Chinese translation of William offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of William, you'll find options that work for you.
Names with the same root meaning include Liam in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Liam in Chinese, James in Chinese, and Joseph in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Andrew in Chinese, Jacob in Chinese, John in Chinese, and Ryan in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for William, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like William to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write William in Chinese?
威廉 (Wēi Lián), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How popular is the name William?
US Social Security records show 4,102,604 boys named William since 1880, with the high point in 1947 (66,986 births) and the busiest decade being the 1950s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #16 to #3 among boys.
Does William change in traditional Chinese?
No. 威廉 uses only characters that are the same in both scripts, so one design works everywhere.