William William is a masculine given name of Germanic languages, Germanic origin. It became popular in England after the Norman Conquest, Norman conquest in 1066,All Things William"Meaning & Origin of the Name"/ref> and remained so throughout the Middle ...

is a masculine given name which may refer to:

Saints

Saint William (disambiguation) Saint William may refer to: * Saint William of Gellone (755 – 812 or 814), second Count of Toulouse * Saint William of Volpiano (962 – 1031), monastic reformer and architect * Saint William Firmatus (1026 – 1103), hermit * Saint William of Mo ...

, lists several saints named ''William''

Royalty and nobility

:''Ordered chronologically''

British

William the Conqueror William the Conqueror (Bates ''William the Conqueror'' p. 33– 9 September 1087), sometimes called William the Bastard, was the first Norman king of England (as William I), reigning from 1066 until his death. A descendant of Rollo, he was D ...

(c. 1028-1087) First Norman King of England, Duke of Normandy *

William II of England William II (; – 2 August 1100) was List of English monarchs, King of England from 26 September 1087 until his death in 1100, with powers over Duchy of Normandy, Normandy and influence in Kingdom of Scotland, Scotland. He was less successfu ...

(c.1057-1100) King of England *

William III of England William III (William Henry; ; 4 November 1650 – 8 March 1702), also known as William of Orange, was the sovereign Prince of Orange from birth, Stadtholder of County of Holland, Holland, County of Zeeland, Zeeland, Lordship of Utrecht, Utrec ...

(1650-1702) King of England, Scotland and Ireland, Stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel *

William IV William IV (William Henry; 21 August 1765 – 20 June 1837) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and King of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death in 1837. The third son of George III, William succeeded hi ...

(1765-1837) King of the United Kingdom and Hanover *

William I of Scotland William the Lion (), sometimes styled William I (; ) and also known by the nickname ; e.g. Annals of Ulster, s.a. 1214.6; Annals of Loch Cé, s.a. 1213.10. ( 1142 – 4 December 1214), reigned as King of Alba from 1165 to 1214. His almost 49 ...

(–1214), a.k.a. William the Lion *

William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke (1146 or 1147 – 14 May 1219), also called William the Marshal (Anglo-Norman language, Norman French: ', French language, French: '), was an Anglo-Normans, Anglo-Norman soldier and statesman during High Med ...

(1146/7–1219), Anglo-Norman soldier and statesman *

William IX, Count of Poitiers William, Count of Poitiers (17 August 1153 – 1156) was the first son of King Henry II of England and Duchess Eleanor of Aquitaine. William is reported to have died either at the age of 2 in April 1156, or at the age of 3 on 2 December 1156, ...

(1153–1156), first son of Henry II of England *

William, Prince of Wales William, Prince of Wales (William Arthur Philip Louis; born 21 June 1982), is the heir apparent to the British throne. He is the elder son of King Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales. William was born during the reign of his pat ...

(born 1982), elder son of King Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales

Dutch

William I, Count of Holland William I (c. 1167 – 4 February 1222) was count of Holland from 1203 to 1222. He was the younger son of Floris III and Ada of Huntingdon. Early life William was born in The Hague, but raised in Scotland. He participated in the Third Cr ...

(1167–1222), Count of Holland *

William II of Holland William II (February 1227 – 28 January 1256) was the Count of Holland and Zeeland from 1234 until his death. He was elected anti-king of Germany in 1248 and ruled as sole king from 1254 onwards. Early life William was the eldest son and heir ...

(1228–1256), also King of Germany *

William I, Prince of Orange William is a masculine given name of Germanic origin. It became popular in England after the Norman conquest in 1066,All Things William"Meaning & Origin of the Name"/ref> and remained so throughout the Middle Ages and into the modern era. It is ...

(1533–1584), a.k.a. William the Silent *

William II, Prince of Orange William II (Dutch language, Dutch: ''Willem II''; 27 May 1626 – 6 November 1650) was sovereign Prince of Orange and Stadtholder of County of Holland, Holland, County of Zeeland, Zeeland, Lordship of Utrecht, Utrecht, Guelders, Lordship of Ove ...

(1626–1650), stadtholder of the United Provinces of the Netherlands *

William III of Orange William III (William Henry; ; 4 November 1650 – 8 March 1702), also known as William of Orange, was the sovereign Prince of Orange from birth, Stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel in the Dutch Republic from 167 ...

(1650–1702), also William III of England and William II of Scotland *

William IV, Prince of Orange William IV (Willem Karel Hendrik Friso; 1 September 1711 – 22 October 1751) was Prince of Orange from birth and the first hereditary stadtholder of all the United Provinces of the Netherlands from 1747 until his death in 1751. During his who ...

(1711–1751), first hereditary Stadtholder of all the United Provinces *

William I of the Netherlands William I (Willem Frederik; 24 August 1772 – 12 December 1843) was King of the Netherlands and List of monarchs of Luxembourg, Grand Duke of Luxembourg from 1815 until his abdication in 1840. Born as the son of William V, Prince of Orange, ...

(1772–1843), Prince of Orange and the first King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg *

William V, Prince of Orange William V (Willem Batavus; 8 March 1748 – 9 April 1806) was Prince of Orange and the last Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic. He went into exile to London in 1795. He was furthermore ruler of the Principality of Orange-Nassau until his death in ...

(1748–1806), last Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic *

William II of the Netherlands William II (; English: William Frederick George Louis; 6 December 1792 – 17 March 1849), known as Koning Willem de Tweede or Koning Willem II in the Netherlands, was King of the Netherlands, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and Duke of Limburg. Wi ...

(1792–1849), King of the Netherlands, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and Duke of Limburg *

William III of the Netherlands William III (Dutch language, Dutch: ''Willem Alexander Paul Frederik Lodewijk''; English: ''William Alexander Paul Frederick Louis''; 19 February 1817 – 23 November 1890) was King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg from 1849 until ...

(1817–1890), King of the Netherlands, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and Duke of Limburg

French

William of Gellone William of Gellone ( 755 – 28 May 812 or 814), the medieval William of Orange, was the second Duke of Toulouse from 790 until 811. In 804, he founded the abbey of Gellone. He was canonized a saint in 1066 by Pope Alexander II.

(–812 or 814), Count of Toulouse, canonized a saint *

William Longsword William Longsword (, , , ; 893 – 17 December 942) was the second ruler of Normandy, from 927 until his assassination in 942.Detlev Schwennicke, '' Europäische Stammtafeln: Stammtafeln zur Geschichte der Europäischen Staaten'', Neue Folge, ...

(), second Duke of Normandy * William XI, Count of Auvergne * William XII, Count of Auvergne (1300–1332), Count of Auvergne from 1325 to 1332

German

William I, German Emperor Wilhelm I (Wilhelm Friedrich Ludwig; 22 March 1797 – 9 March 1888) was King of Prussia from 1861 and German Emperor from 1871 until his death in 1888. A member of the House of Hohenzollern, he was the first head of state of a united Germany. ...

, (1797–1888), Emperor of Germany and King of Prussia *

Wilhelm II, German Emperor Wilhelm II (Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert; 27 January 18594 June 1941) was the last German Emperor and King of Prussia from 1888 until his abdication in 1918, which marked the end of the German Empire as well as the Hohenzollern dynasty ...

(1859–1941), Emperor of Germany and King of Prussia

Sicilian

William I of Sicily William I (1120 or 1121 7 May 1166), called the Bad or the Wicked (), was the second king of Sicily, ruling from his father's death in 1154 to his own in 1166. He was the fourth son of Roger II and Elvira of Castile. William's title "the Bad" ...

(1131–1166), a.k.a. William the Bad or William the Wicked *

William II of Sicily William II (December 115311 November 1189), called the Good, was king of Sicily from 1166 to 1189. From surviving sources William's character is indistinct. Lacking in military enterprise, secluded and pleasure-loving, he seldom emerged from hi ...

(1155–1189), a.k.a. William the Good *

William III of Sicily William III (; c. 1186 c. 1198), a scion of the Hauteville dynasty, was the last Norman King of Sicily, who reigned briefly for ten months in 1194. He was overthrown by his great-aunt Constance and her husband Emperor Henry VI. Life and reig ...

(1190–1198), last Norman King of Sicily, reigning briefly for ten months in 1194

Cameroon

William I of Bimbia William I of Bimbia, born Bile, was born in 1800 and lived until 1877. He was Paramount chief, was chief and Monarch, king of the Isubu ethnic group, who lived in Bimbia on the coast of Cameroon in the mid-to-late 19th century. Great Britain, Brit ...

, 19th-century king of the Isubu people * William II of Bimbia (died 1882), king of the Isubu people

Other

William I (disambiguation) William I may refer to: Kings * William the Conqueror (–1087), also known as William I, King of England * William I of Sicily (died 1166) * William I of Scotland (died 1214), known as William the Lion * William I of the Netherlands and Luxembour ...

, multiple royals and nobles * William II, multiple royals and nobles **

William II of Villehardouin William of Villehardouin (; Kalamata, 1211 – 1 May 1278) was the fourth prince of Achaea in Frankish Greece, from 1246 to 1278. The younger son of Prince Geoffrey I, he held the Barony of Kalamata in fief during the reign of his ...

(died 1278), Prince of Achaea *

William III William III or William the Third may refer to: Kings * William III of Sicily () * William III of England and Ireland or William III of Orange or William II of Scotland (1650–1702) * William III of the Netherlands and Luxembourg (1817–1890) N ...

, multiple royals and nobles * William IV (disambiguation), multiple royals and nobles **

William IV, Grand Duke of Luxembourg William IV ( French: ''Guillaume Alexandre''; 22 April 1852 – 25 February 1912) was Grand Duke of Luxembourg from 17 November 1905 until his death in 1912. He succeeded his father, Adolphe. Like his father, William mostly stayed out of politics ...

(1852–1912; ) *

William V William V may refer to: * William V, Duke of Aquitaine (969–1030) * William V of Montpellier (1075–1121) * William V, Marquess of Montferrat (1191) * William V, Count of Nevers (before 11751181) * William V, Duke of Jülich (1299–1361) * Will ...

, multiple royals and nobles * William VI, multiple royals and nobles * William VII, multiple royals and nobles * William VIII, multiple royals and nobles * William IX, multiple royals and nobles * William X, multiple royals and nobles *

William of Werle William of Werle (before 1393 or 1394 – 8 September 1436), was co-regent of Werle from 1418 to 1425, then the sole ruler from 1425 until his death. After 1426, he called himself "Prince of the Wends". He was a son of Lorenz of Werle-Güst ...

(died 1436/94-1436), Lord of Werle-Güstrow *

William, Prince of Albania Wilhelm, Prince of Albania (Wilhelm Friedrich Heinrich; , 26 March 1876 – 18 April 1945) was sovereign of the Principality of Albania from 7 March to 3 September 1914. His reign officially came to an end on 31 January 1925, when the country w ...

(1876–1945), from March to September 1914

Pre-modern era commoners

:''Ordered chronologically''

British

William (bishop of the Isles) William (died ×1095) was an eleventh-century ecclesiast. He is the second named bishop of a jurisdiction which later became the Diocese of the Isles. William is the second named bishop recorded by the thirteenth- to fourteenth-century '' Chro ...

(died 1095), bishop of what later became the Diocese of the Isles * William Aiton (disambiguation), several people *

William de Corbeil William de Corbeil or William of Corbeil (21 November 1136) was a medieval Archbishop of Canterbury. Very little is known of William's early life or his family, except that he was born at Corbeil, south-east of Paris, and that he had two brot ...

(c. 1070–1136), Archbishop of Canterbury *

William of Malmesbury William of Malmesbury (; ) was the foremost English historian of the 12th century. He has been ranked among the most talented English historians since Bede. Modern historian C. Warren Hollister described him as "a gifted historical scholar and a ...

(died 1143), English historian and monk *

William of Tyre William of Tyre (; 29 September 1186) was a Middle Ages, medieval prelate and chronicler. As Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tyre, archbishop of Tyre, he is sometimes known as William II to distinguish him from his predecessor, William I of Tyr ...

(c. 1130–1185), Archbishop of Tyre, chronicler of the Crusades *

William of Norwich William of Norwich (died 22 March 1144) was an apprentice who lived in the English city of Norwich. He suffered a violent death during Easter 1144. The city's French-speaking Jewish community was blamed for his death, but the crime was never so ...

(c. 1132–1144), saint and martyr *

William of York William of York (late 11th century – 8 June 1154) was an English priest and twice Archbishop of York, before and after a rival, Henry Murdac. He was thought to be related to King Stephen of England, who helped to secure his election to the p ...

(died 1154), Archbishop of York and saint * William (bishop of Moray) (died 1162), Roman Catholic bishop in Scotland *

William the Trouvère William (; ), later called William the Trouvère, was an English poet. He translated tales from the Latin '' Miracles of the Virgin'' into Anglo-Norman verse.Hunt 2004. Works William was first called Adgar but became more commonly known as Wi ...

(), English Anglo-Norman poet and translator * William of Ramsey (

fl. ''Floruit'' ( ; usually abbreviated fl. or occasionally flor.; from Latin for 'flourished') denotes a date or period during which a person was known to have been alive or active. In English, the unabbreviated word may also be used as a noun indic ...

1219), English monk and hagiographer *

William (bishop of Dunblane) William O. Tiron. (died early 1290s) was a late 13th-century Tironensian abbot and bishop in the Kingdom of Scotland. He appears in the extant sources for the first time on 25 April 1276; he is Abbot of Arbroath.Watt, ''Heads of Religious House ...

(died early 1290s), Tironensian abbot and bishop in the Kingdom of Scotland *

William Wallace Sir William Wallace (, ; Norman French: ; 23 August 1305) was a Scottish knight who became one of the main leaders during the First War of Scottish Independence. Along with Andrew Moray, Wallace defeated an English army at the Battle of St ...

(c. 1270–1305), Scottish general and one of the main leaders during the Wars of Scottish Independence *

William of Ockham William of Ockham or Occam ( ; ; 9/10 April 1347) was an English Franciscan friar, scholastic philosopher, apologist, and theologian, who was born in Ockham, a small village in Surrey. He is considered to be one of the major figures of medie ...

(1287–1347), English friar and philosopher, originator of Occam's Razor *

William of Wykeham William of Wykeham (; 1320 or 1324 – 27 September 1404) was Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of England. He founded New College, Oxford, and New College School in 1379, and founded Winchester College in 1382. He was also the clerk of ...

(1320–1404), Bishop of Winchester, founder of Winchester College and New College, Oxford *

William Caxton William Caxton () was an English merchant, diplomat and writer. He is thought to be the first person to introduce a printing press into Kingdom of England, England in 1476, and as a Printer (publishing), printer to be the first English retailer ...

(c. 1422–c. 1491), English merchant, diplomat and writer, thought to be the first person to introduce a printing press into England

French

William of Poitiers William of Poitiers (, ; 10201090) was a Norman priest who served as the chaplain of Duke William II of Normandy (William the Conqueror), for whom he chronicled the Norman conquest of England in his ''Gesta Willelmi ducis Normannorum et regis ...

(c. 1020–1090), Norman chronicler, chaplain to William the Conqueror *

William de St-Calais William de St-Calais (died 2 January 1096) was a medieval Norman monk, abbot of the abbey of Saint-Vincent in Le Mans in Maine, who was nominated by King William I of England as Bishop of Durham in 1080. During his term as bishop, St-Calais r ...

(died 1096), Norman abbot, Bishop of Durham * William (bishop of Orange) (died 1098), took part in the First Crusade * William of Champeaux (1070–1121), French philosopher and theologian *

William of Conches William of Conches (; ; ), historically sometimes anglicized as William Shelley, was a medieval Norman- French scholastic philosopher who sought to expand the bounds of Christian humanism by studying secular works of classical literature and fo ...

(c. 1090–c. 1154), French scholastic philosopher, tutor of Henry II of England *

William of Donjeon Guillaume de Donjeon (c. 1140 – 10 January 1209) was a French Roman Catholic prelate who served as the Archbishop of Bourges from 1200 until his death. He served as a canon in Soissons and Paris before he entered the Order of Grandmont. Some ...

(c. 1155–1209), a.k.a. St. William of Bourges and St. William the Confessor, French archbishop * William the Clerk (), Old French poet, writer of the ''Roman de Fergus'' * William the Clerk of Normandy (), Norman cleric and Old French poet *

William of Auxerre William of Auxerre (1140/50–1231) was a French scholastic theologian and official in the Roman Catholic Church. The teacher by whom William was most influenced was Praepositinus, or Prevostin, of Cremona, Chancellor of the University of Pari ...

(died 1231), French theologian

Other

* William (''marcha orientalis'') (died 871), Margrave of the March of Pannonia, part of the Carolingian Empire *

William (archbishop of Mainz) William (929 – 2 March 968) was Archbishop of Mainz from 17 December 954 until his death. He was the son of the Emperor Otto I the Great and a Wendish mother. On 17 December 954, he was appointed to the archbishopric of Mainz following ...

(929–968), German bishop, son of Emperor Otto the Great *

William of St-Thierry William of Saint-Thierry, O. Cist (French: ''Guillaume de Saint-Thierry''; Latin: ''Guillelmus S. Theodorici''; 1075/80/85–1148) was a twelfth-century Benedictine, theologian and mystic from Liège who became abbot of Saint-Thierry in France, ...

(died 1148), theologian and mystic, abbot of St. Thierry *

William of Moerbeke William of Moerbeke, Dominican Order, O.P. (; ; 1215–35 – 1286), was a prolific medieval translator of philosophical, medical, and scientific texts from Greek into Latin, enabled by the period of Latin Empire, Latin rule of the Byzanti ...

(1215–1286), Flemish bishop, translator of philosophical, medical, and scientific texts

Modern era

Several people

William Campbell (disambiguation) William, Willy, Will, Billy, or Bill Campbell may refer to: Government officials * Lord William Campbell (c. 1731 – 1778), Scottish-born royal governor of Nova Scotia and South Carolina * William Campbell (British Army officer, died 1796) (died ...

, multiple people * William Davis (disambiguation), several people * William Douglas (disambiguation), several people * William Duane (disambiguation), several people * William Fuller (disambiguation), several people * William Garnett (disambiguation), several people * William Gay (disambiguation), several people * William Hamilton (disambiguation), several people * William Handy (disambiguation), several people * William Harrison (disambiguation), several people *

William Jones (disambiguation) William Jones may refer to: Academics * William Jones (college principal) (1676–1725), Principal of Jesus College, Oxford, 1720–1725 * William Jones (philologist) (1746–1794), English judge and philologist who proposed a relationship among ...

, several people * William Kelley (disambiguation), several people * William King (disambiguation), several people *

William Lee (disambiguation) William, Will, Bill, or Billy Lee may refer to: People Entertainment * Bill Lee (singer) (1916–1980), American singer who voiced many Disney characters * Bill Lee (musician) (1928–2023), American jazz musician * Billy Lee Riley (1933–2009), ...

William White (disambiguation) William White may refer to: Politics *William White (MP for City of London), for City of London (Parliament of England constituency) * William White (MP for Lymington) (died 1594), MP for Lymington * William White (MP for Clitheroe) (1606–1661) ...

, several people * William Wolf (disambiguation), several people * William Wolfe (disambiguation), several people * William Wolff (disambiguation), several people * William Wood (disambiguation), several people * William Woods (disambiguation), several people *

William Wright (disambiguation) William, Will, or Bill Wright may refer to: William Arts and entertainment *William Aldis Wright (1831–1914), English editor, literary executor of Edward FitzGerald *William Garrett Wright (born 1979), American poet and editor *William Wright (p ...

, several people *

William Wyatt (disambiguation) William Wyatt may refer to: *William Wyatt (cricketer) (1842–1908), English cricketer *William Wyatt (scholar) (1616–1685), English scholar *William Wyatt (settler) (1804–1886), Australian settler *William Wyatt (weightlifter) (1893–1989), ...

, several people

Others

* William Henry Aldis (1871–1948), English Protestant missionary * Lt. William "Vasilios" "Bill" George Aliapoulos (1917-2008), American-born Greek engineer and 1st Lieutenant platoon leader of the 406th Engineer Combat Company * William "Jock" Alves ( 1909–1979), Rhodesian physician and politician * William Amaral de Andrade (born 1967), Brazilian football manager and former centre-back *

William Ayache William Ayache (, born 10 January 1961) is a French former professional footballer who played as a side back, both left and right, and then manager. International career At international level, Ayache participated at the 1984 Summer Olympics w ...

(born 1961), French footballer and manager *

William Ball (suffragist) William Ball (4 November 1862 – 1935) was a British workers union member, jailed for his support of women's suffrage, and subject of a WSPU pamphlet, "Torture In An English Prison", which described his experience being force-fed such that hi ...

(born 1862), British workers union member who supported women's suffrage *

Bill Beagan William Thomas Beagan (born December 1, 1937) is a Canadian retired ice hockey administrator and ice hockey referee. He served in the Canadian Army for thirteen years, before refereeing in the National Hockey League (NHL) for two seasons. He ...

(born 1937), Canadian ice hockey administrator * William Beausire (disappeared 1975), British-Chilean commercial engineer *

William Sperry Beinecke William Sperry Beinecke (May 22, 1914 – April 8, 2018) was an American philanthropist and businessman. Career and philanthropy Beinecke studied at Westminster School, Pingry School, graduated from Yale University in 1936 and Columbia Law Sch ...

(1914–2018), American philanthropist and businessman * William Bianchini (born 1960), retired Luxembourgish football midfielder * William Bradford Bishop (born 1936), American former U.S. foreign service officer accused of killing his family *

William Bonin William George Bonin (January 8, 1947 – February 23, 1996), also called the Freeway Killer and the Freeway Strangler, was an American serial killer and sex offender who raped, tortured, and murdered young men and boys between 1968 and 1980 in ...

(1947–1996), American serial killer and rapist * William Bonner, Brazilian newscaster and journalist * William H. Bonney, alias of American outlaw

Billy the Kid Henry McCarty (September 17 or November 23, 1859July 14, 1881), alias William H. Bonney, better known as Billy the Kid, was an American outlaw and gunfighter of the Old West who was linked to nine murders: four for which he was solely res ...

* William Bradford (1946–2008), American murderer * William M. Branham (1909–1965), American Christian preacher * William A. Brewer III, American trial lawyer * William Bridgeo, American politician *

William Byron (racing driver) William McComas Byron Jr. (born November 29, 1997) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 24 Chevrolet ZL1 for Hendrick Motorsports, part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Ser ...

, American NASCAR driver *

William Jennings Bryan William Jennings Bryan (March 19, 1860 – July 26, 1925) was an American lawyer, orator, and politician. He was a dominant force in the History of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, running three times as the party' ...

(1860–1925), American orator and politician * William Burke and William Hare (Burke 1792–1829; Hare unknown), Irish serial killers * W. Sterling Cary (1927–2021), American Christian minister *

William Cassels William Wharton Cassels (11 March 1858 – 7 November 1925) was an Anglican missionary bishop. Early life and education Cassels was born in Oporto, Portugal, the sixth son of John Cassels, a merchant, and Ethelinda Cox, a distant relation of Wa ...

(1858–1925), British Anglican missionary bishop * William T. Cefalu, chief scientific and medical officer of the American Diabetes Association. *

Bill Clinton William Jefferson Clinton (né Blythe III; born August 19, 1946) is an American politician and lawyer who was the 42nd president of the United States from 1993 to 2001. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, ...

(born 1946), 42nd president of the United States *

William Cooper William Cooper may refer to: Business *William Cooper (accountant) (1826–1871), founder of Cooper Brothers * William Cooper (businessman) (1761–1840), Canadian businessman * William Cooper (co-operator) (1822–1868), English co-operator * Wil ...

(1943–2001), American writer, radio host, and political activist * William A. Conant (1816–1909), American merchant, politician, and railroad agent * William Craft (1824–1900), American abolitionist and fugitive * William Crosfield (1838–1909), British politician *

William Dar William Dollente Dar (born April 10, 1953) is a Filipino horticulturist and civil servant who served as the Secretary of Agriculture under the Duterte administration. He was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte on August 5, 2019, to replace E ...

(born 1953), Filipino horticulturist and government administrator * Peduru Hewage William de Silva (1908–1988), Sri Lankan Sinhala Marxist politician *

William Herschel Frederick William Herschel ( ; ; 15 November 1738 – 25 August 1822) was a German-British astronomer and composer. He frequently collaborated with his younger sister and fellow astronomer Caroline Herschel. Born in the Electorate of Hanover ...

(1738-1822), German born British Astronomer *

William De Vecchis William De Vecchis (born 28 May 1971) is an Italian Senator. He is a member of the Italexit party, after leaving Lega Nord in 2022. He represents Lazio Lazio ( , ; ) or Latium ( , ; from Latium, the original Latin name, ) is one of the 20 ...

(born 1971), Italian politician * William DeVizia (born 1969), American actor * William "Jack" Dempsey (1895–1983), Irish Native-American boxer and World Heavyweight Champion *

William J. Donovan William Joseph "Wild Bill" Donovan (January 1, 1883 – February 8, 1959) was an American soldier, lawyer, intelligence officer and diplomat. He is best known for serving as the head of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the precursor to ...

(1883–1959), American soldier, lawyer, intelligence officer and diplomat *

William Dowell William Dowell (21 May 1885 – 9 November 1949) was a Welsh dual-code international rugby union and rugby league footballer who played rugby union for Newport, Pontypool, rugby league and Warrington RLFC. He won seven caps for the Wales ru ...

(1885-1949), Wales dual-code international rugby footballer * William Duckworth (1943–2012), American composer, author, educator and internet pioneer * William S. Edings (1857–1927), justice of the Territorial Supreme Court of Hawaii * William Edward Rose (1813–1893), hotelier and state senator *

William Lukens Elkins William Lukens Elkins (May 2, 1832 – November 7, 1903) was an American businessman and art collector. He began his working career as a grocer in Philadelphia and became a business tycoon with financial interests in oil, natural gas and transpor ...

(1832–1903), American businessman, inventor and art collector * William N. Ethridge (1912–1971), chief justice of the Supreme Court of Mississippi *

Gilberto William Fabbro Gilberto William Fabbro or simply William (born March 30, 1977, in Foz do Iguaçu), is a Brazilian attacking midfielder. He currently plays for Operário Ferroviário Esporte Clube Operário Ferroviário Esporte Clube, more commonly referred ...

(born 1977), Brazilian football attacking midfielder *

William Faulkner William Cuthbert Faulkner (; September 25, 1897 – July 6, 1962) was an American writer. He is best known for William Faulkner bibliography, his novels and short stories set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi, a stand-in fo ...

(1897–1962), American writer * William R. Federici (1917–2009), chief justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court * William José de Assis Filho (born 1933), Brazilian football defender * William H. Folland (c. 1878–1941), associate justice of the Utah Supreme Court * W. A. Fry (1872–1944), Canadian sport administrator and newspaper publisher * William de Asevedo Furtado (born 1995), Brazilian football right-back *

Bill Gates William Henry Gates III (born October 28, 1955) is an American businessman and philanthropist. A pioneer of the microcomputer revolution of the 1970s and 1980s, he co-founded the software company Microsoft in 1975 with his childhood friend ...

(born 1955), American businessman and philanthropist *

William Glasser William Glasser (May 11, 1925 – August 23, 2013) was an American psychiatrist. He was the developer of W. Edwards Deming's workplace ideas, reality therapy and choice theory. His innovations for individual counseling, work environments and s ...

(1925–2013), American psychiatrist * William A. Goff (1929–2019), judge of the United States Tax Court *

William Gold William Patrick Spencer Gold (born 14 September 1996), known professionally as Wilbur Soot, is an English Twitch (service), Twitch streamer, YouTuber, and musician. He first became known in 2017 for his work with the group comedy YouTube channe ...

(born 1996), British Twitch streamer, YouTuber, and musician known as

Wilbur Soot William Patrick Spencer Gold (born 14 September 1996), known professionally as Wilbur Soot, is an English Twitch streamer, YouTuber, and musician. He first became known in 2017 for his work with the group comedy YouTube channel SootHouse, wher ...

William Gopallawa William Gopallawa (, ; 17 September 1896 – 31 January 1981) was a Sri Lankan politician and statesman who served as the last Governor-General of Ceylon from 1962 to 1972 and the first and only non-executive President of Sri Lanka from 1972 to ...

(1896–1981), last Governor-General of Ceylon, first President of Sri Lanka *

W. G. Grace William Gilbert Grace (18 July 1848 – 23 October 1915) was an English cricketer who is widely considered one of the sport's all-time greatest players. Always known by his initials as "WG", his first-class career spanned a record-equalling 4 ...

(1848–1915), British cricketer * William Greiner (born 1957), American photographer and painter * William Grigahcine (born 1986), French musician professionally known as DJ Snake * William "Yamyam" Gucong (born 1993), Filipino actor and comedian * William Talbot Handy (1894–1983), American Methodist minister * William Talbot Handy, Jr. (1924–1998), American civil rights activist and United Methodist bishop * W. G. Hardy (1895–1979), Canadian professor, writer and ice hockey administrator * William Randolph Hearst Sr. (1863–1951), American businessman, newspaper publisher and politician * William Randolph Hearst Jr., (1908-1993), American businessman and newspaper publisher; son of William Randolph Hearst Sr. *

William Heinecke William Ellwood Heinecke (; born 1949) is an American-born Thai businessman. He is the founder and chairman of Minor International PCL. The company includes Minor Hotels, Minor Food, and Minor Lifestyle. Early life Heinecke moved to Bangkok in ...

(born 1949), American-born Thai businessman *

Bill Hicks William Melvin Hicks (December 16, 1961 – February 26, 1994) was an American stand-up comedian and satirist. His material— encompassing a wide range of social issues including religion, politics, and philosophy— was controversial and ofte ...

(1961-1994), American stand-up comedian *

William Higinbotham William Alfred Higinbotham (October 22, 1910 – November 10, 1994) was an American physicist. A member of the team that developed the first nuclear bomb, he later became a leader in the nonproliferation movement. He also has a place in the hi ...

(1910-1994), American physicist. *

William Holden William Franklin Holden (né Beedle Jr.; April 17, 1918 – November 12, 1981) was an American actor and one of the biggest box-office draws of the 1950s. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for the film '' Stalag 17'' (1953) and the Pri ...

(1918–1981), American actor *

William Hurt William McChord Hurt (March 20, 1950 – March 13, 2022) was an American actor. For his performances on stage and screen, he received various awards including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and a Cannes Film Festival Award for B ...

(1950–2022), American actor *

William M. Ireland William M. Ireland (died December 24, 1891) was one of the eight founders of the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, a fraternal organization in the United States. Biography Ireland was born in Pennsylvania but lived most of his ...

(died 1891), American co-founder of the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry *

William Ivens William Ivens (June 28, 1878 – June 20, 1957) was a religious and political figure in Manitoba, Canada. He was a leading figure in the Winnipeg General Strike,, and subsequently served as a Labour member of the Manitoba legislature from 1920 ...

(1878–1957) Canadian religious and political figure * William H. Jacoby (1841-1905), American photographer * João William Alves de Jesus, (born 1996), Brazilian football defender *

William Katt William Theodore Katt (born February 16, 1951) is an American actor and musician. He is best known for his starring role as Ralph Hinkley/Hanley on the ABC television series '' The Greatest American Hero'' (1981–1983). Katt first became k ...

(born 1951), American actor * William Kempster (1914–1977), British artist * William Kempster (mason) (1651–1717), English stonemason * William Kunnecke (disappeared 1919), American fugitive *

William Lai Lai Ching-te (; pinyin: ''Lài Qīngdé''; born 6 October 1959), also known as William Lai, is a Taiwanese politician and former physician who is currently serving as the eighth president of the Republic of China (Taiwan) since May 2024. He is ...

(born 1959), Taiwanese politician *

William LeMassena William LeMassena (May 23, 1916 – January 19, 1993) was an American actor. He was best known for his roles in Broadway and off-Broadway productions, the film '' All That Jazz'' (1979), and the soap opera ''As the World Turns'' (1985–1992). ...

(1916–1993), American actor * William LeMessurier (1926–2007), American structural engineer * William L. Leverette (1913–2003), American World War II flying ace * William Lindstedt, (fl. 2022), American politician * William Michael Lynn (born 1958), American academic * William MacDonald (1924–2015), English serial killer * William Bandara Makuloluwa (1922–1984), Sri Lankan musicologist, author, and director *

William Francis Mannix William Francis Mannix (died 1920) was an author and forger. He was best known for writing ''The Memoirs of Li Hung Chang'', which he falsely presented as translated memoirs of Li Hongzhang. History Sarah Matthewson of the University of London wr ...

(died 1920), author and forger * William P. Marontate (1919–1943), American World War II flying ace *

William King McAlister William King McAlister Jr. (July 4, 1850 – May 16, 1923)William K. McAllister William King McAllister (August 5, 1818 – October 29, 1888) was an American jurist. Born in Salem, Washington County, New York, McAllister was admitted to the New York bar. In 1858, McAllister moved to Chicago, Illinois, and practiced law. H ...

(1818–1888), justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois * William McKenna (politician) (born 1946), American politician * William McKenna (actor), Australian actor *

William McKinley William McKinley (January 29, 1843September 14, 1901) was the 25th president of the United States, serving from 1897 until Assassination of William McKinley, his assassination in 1901. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Repub ...

(1843–1901), 25th president of the United States *

William McMahon Sir William McMahon (23 February 190831 March 1988), also known as Billy McMahon, was an Australian politician who served as the 20th prime minister of Australia from 1971 to 1972. He held office as the leader of the Liberal Party of Australia ...

(1908–1988), 20th prime minister of Australia *

William McNamara William West McNamara (born March 31, 1965) is an American film and television actor. Personal life Born in Dallas, Texas, McNamara is the son of a Ford Motor Company employee and an interior designer. He attended Salisbury School, Columbia Un ...

(born 1965), American actor *

William Ephraim Mikell William Ephraim Mikell (January 29, 1868 January 19, 1944) was an American legal scholar, lawyer and dean of the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Biography Mikell was born in Sumter, South Carolina, to Thomas Price and Rebecca (Moses) Mike ...

(1868–1944), American legal scholar and lawyer * William Millward (1822-1871), American politician * William Alexander Milne, Scottish-Australian photographer * William Ntoso, Ghanaian member of parliament *

William Nylander William Andrew Michael Junior Nylander Altelius (born 1 May 1996) is a Swedish professional ice hockey Forward (ice hockey), forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nylander was selected by the Maple Leafs in t ...

(born 1996), Swedish ice hockey winger * William (footballer, born 1968), full name William César de Oliveira, Brazilian football midfielder *

Will Ospreay William Peter Charles Ospreay (born 7 May 1993) is an English professional wrestler. , he is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is a former two-time AEW International Champion. He is also known for his eight year tenure with New Japa ...

(born 1993), English professional wrestler *

William Pepper William Pepper Jr. (August 21, 1843July 28, 1898), was an American physician and medical educator, and the eleventh provost of the University of Pennsylvania, from 1881 to 1894. He was an advocate for the establishment of a university affiliate ...

(1843-1898), American physician and Provost of the University of Pennsylvania * Galappatti Kankanange William Perera (1884–1956), Sri Lankan lawyer, educator, diplomat * William Phipps (1922–2018), American actor and singer, best known for performing the voice of Prince Charming from Disney's

Cinderella "Cinderella", or "The Little Glass Slipper", is a Folklore, folk tale with thousands of variants that are told throughout the world.Dundes, Alan. Cinderella, a Casebook. Madison, Wis: University of Wisconsin Press, 1988. The protagonist is a you ...

William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham (15 November 170811 May 1778) was a British people, British British Whig Party, Whig politician, statesman who served as Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1766 to 1768. Historians call him "Chatham" or "Pit ...

or William Pitt the Elder (1708–1778), British statesman and prime minister *

William Pitt the Younger William Pitt (28 May 1759 – 23 January 1806) was a British statesman who served as the last prime minister of Kingdom of Great Britain, Great Britain from 1783 until the Acts of Union 1800, and then first Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, p ...

(1759–1806), British statesman and prime minister *

William Poole William Poole (July 24, 1821 – March 8, 1855), also known as Bill the Butcher, was the leader of the Washington Street Gang, which later became known as the Bowery Boys gang. He was a local leader of the Know Nothing political movement in ...

(1821–1855), also known as Bill the Butcher, a gang leader in New York city * William H. Quealy (1913–1993), judge of the United States Tax Court * Don William Rajapatirana (fl. 1930s–1960s), Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka from 1959 to 1967 *

William Rawle William Rawle (April 28, 1759 – April 12, 1836) was an American lawyer from Philadelphia, who served as United States district attorney in Pennsylvania from 1791 to 1800. He founded The Rawle Law Offices in 1783 which evolved into Rawle & Hend ...

(1759-1836), United States Attorney for Pennsylvania * William Redmond (died 1980), American murder victim *

Will Rogers William Penn Adair Rogers (November 4, 1879 – August 15, 1935) was an American vaudeville performer, actor, and humorous social commentator. He was born as a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, in the Indian Territory (now part of Oklahoma ...

(1879-1935) American humorous social commentator * William Ronckendorff (1812-1891), United States Navy officer * William Arthur Conceição dos Santos (born 1982), Brazilian football striker *

Toby Sexsmith William Raymond "Toby" Sexsmith (August 23, 1885August 23, 1943) was a Canadian politician and ice hockey administrator. He was elected three times as a Progressive Conservative Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba representin ...

(William Raymond; 1885–1943), Canadian politician and ice hockey administrator *

William Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

(1564–1616), English poet, playwright and actor *

William Ruto William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto (born 21 January 1967) is a Kenyan politician who is the fifth and current president of Kenya since 13 September 2022. Prior to becoming president, he served as the first elected Deputy President of Kenya, ...

, 5th and current President of Kenya *

William August Schulze William August Schulze (November 23, 1905 – November 4, 2001) was a German-American rocket scientist and Operation Paperclip hire. After involvement with the development of numerous German rockets during World War II, he became one of the first ...

, German-American rocket scientist and Operation Paperclip hire *

William Shatner William Shatner (born March 22, 1931) is a Canadian actor. In a career spanning seven decades, he is best known for his portrayal of James T. Kirk in the ''Star Trek'' franchise, from his 1966 debut as the captain of the starship USS Enterpri ...

(born 1931), Canadian actor *

William Tecumseh Sherman William Tecumseh Sherman ( ; February 8, 1820February 14, 1891) was an American soldier, businessman, educator, and author. He served as a General officer, general in the Union Army during the American Civil War (1861–1865), earning recognit ...

(1820–1891), American Civil War General * William Crapon Sibley (1832–1902), American business executive *

William E. Simon William Edward Simon (November 27, 1927 – June 3, 2000) was an American businessman and philanthropist who served as the 63rd United States Secretary of the Treasury. He became the Secretary of the Treasury on May 9, 1974, during the Nixon adm ...

(1927–2000), 63rd United States Secretary of the Treasury * William South (1866–1938), photographer and inventor *

William Júnior Salles de Lima Souza William is a masculine given name of Germanic origin. It became popular in England after the Norman conquest in 1066,All Things William"Meaning & Origin of the Name"/ref> and remained so throughout the Middle Ages and into the modern era. It is ...

(born 1983), Brazilian football striker * William Gerald Strongman (1936–2021), Canadian politician * William Cooper Talley (1831-1903), American politician *

William Howard Taft William Howard Taft (September 15, 1857March 8, 1930) served as the 27th president of the United States from 1909 to 1913 and the tenth chief justice of the United States from 1921 to 1930. He is the only person to have held both offices. ...

(1857–1930), 27th president of the United States (1909–1913) * William Taggart (1733–1798), justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court * W. F. Taylor (1877–1945), founding president of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association * William Tennekoon, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka from 1967 to 1971 * William Yan Thorley (born 2002), Hong Kong marathon swimmer *

William Alfred Tilleke William Alfred Goone-Tilleke (1860–1918) was a Ceylonese-Siamese lawyer, entrepreneur and aristocrat. He was the founder of the law firm Tilleke & Gibbins, a privy councilor and second Attorney General of Siam (1912–1917). In Siam he was also k ...

(1860–1917), Ceylon-born Siamese lawyer, entrepreneur and aristocrat *

William To William To (born 7 August 1979) is a Hong Kong sprinter. He competed in the men's 4 × 100 metres relay at the 2000 Summer Olympics The 2000 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, officially branded as Sydney 2000, ...

(born 1979), Hong Kong sprinter * William Sansom Vaux (1811-1882), American mineralogist * William Warren Vernon (1834–1919), British noble and scholar *

William Villeger William Villeger (born 22 October 2000) is a French badminton player affiliated with ASPTT Strasbourg club. He won the European junior championships in boys' doubles event in 2018 and won another gold in team event too. Achievements European ...

(born 2000), French badminton player *

William Wei Wei Li-an (; born 5 March 1987), known professionally as WeiBird, is a Taiwanese singer-songwriter. He has released six studio albums, one live album and two extended plays. Wei won the Golden Melody Award for Best New Singer in 2011 and Best ...

(born 1987), Taiwanese singer-songwriter *

William Wilberforce William Wilberforce (24 August 1759 – 29 July 1833) was a British politician, philanthropist, and a leader of the movement to abolish the Atlantic slave trade. A native of Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, he began his political career in 1780 ...

(1759–1833), British politician, philanthropist and abolitionist * William Wilson (born 2001), Australian footballer *

William Wordsworth William Wordsworth (7 April 177023 April 1850) was an English Romantic poetry, Romantic poet who, with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, helped to launch the Romanticism, Romantic Age in English literature with their joint publication ''Lyrical Balla ...

(1770–1850), English poet * William Worth (1745–1808), American Baptist minister * Bill Wurtz (born 1989), American musician, songwriter, music producer, voice actor, video editor, and animator *

William Butler Yeats William Butler Yeats (, 13 June 186528 January 1939), popularly known as W. B. Yeats, was an Irish poet, dramatist, writer, and literary critic who was one of the foremost figures of 20th century in literature, 20th-century literature. He was ...

(1865–1939), Irish poet *

William Zabka William Michael Zabka (; born October 20, 1965) is an American actor. He is known for his role of Johnny Lawrence (character), Johnny Lawrence in ''The Karate Kid'' (1984), ''The Karate Kid Part II'' (1986), and the TV series ''Cobra Kai'' (201 ...

(born 1965), American actor

Fictional characters

* William "Will", a character in Veronica Roth's '' Divergent'' * William, a flying eye in ''

The Amazing World of Gumball ''The Amazing World of Gumball'' (also known simply as ''Gumball'' or by its abbreviation ''TAWOG''; retitled ''The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball'' beginning with its The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball, seventh season) is an animated si ...

'' * Sir William, Rapunzel's husband in Chris Colfer's ''

The Land of Stories ''The Land of Stories'' is a series of children's fiction, adventure, and fantasy books written by American author, actor, and singer Chris Colfer. The first book, ''The Wishing Spell'', was released on July 17, 2012, with the sixth and final boo ...

'' * William Afton, the major antagonist in the ''

Five Nights at Freddy's ''Five Nights at Freddy's'' (''FNaF'') is a video game series and media franchise created by Scott Cawthon that includes video games, novels, graphic novels, and films. The story arcs typically follow a night guard or other character trying t ...

'' game, book and movie franchise * William Baker (nicknamed "Flint Marko"), also known as Sandman from Marvel Comics * William Birkin, in the ''

Resident Evil ''Resident Evil'', known as in Japan, is a Japanese horror game series and media franchise created by Capcom. It consists of survival horror, third-person shooter and first-person shooter games, with players typically surviving in environments ...

'' game franchise *

B.J. Blazkowicz William Joseph "B.J." Blazkowicz () is a fictional character and the protagonist of the ''Wolfenstein'' series of alternate history video games starting with 1992's ''Wolfenstein 3D''. An American spy of Polish Jewish descent, he specializes in o ...

is the main character in most of the

Wolfenstein ''Wolfenstein'' is a series of alternate history World War II video games originally developed by Muse Software. The majority of the games follow William "B.J." Blazkowicz, an American Army captain, and his fight against the Axis powers. Earlie ...

video game series. * William "Bill" Bracken from

Castle A castle is a type of fortification, fortified structure built during the Middle Ages predominantly by the nobility or royalty and by Military order (monastic society), military orders. Scholars usually consider a ''castle'' to be the private ...

* William Brown, the main character of the children's book series ''

Just William ''Just William'' is the first book of children's short stories about the young school boy William Brown, written by Richmal Crompton, and published in 1922. The book was the first in the series of William Brown books which was the basis for ...

'' by Richmal Crompton * William "Will" Byers, from ''

Stranger Things ''Stranger Things'' is an American television series created by the Duffer brothers, Duffer Brothers for Netflix. Produced by Monkey Massacre Productions and 21 Laps Entertainment, the Stranger Things season 1, first season was released on N ...

'' * William "Will" Turner, Pirates of the Caribbean * William "Bootstrap Bill" Turner, Pirates of the Caribbean * William "Will" Colbert, a

guest star The term guest appearance generally denotes the appearance of a guest in an artistic or pop-culture setting. The guests themselves (referred to as guest artists, featured artists, guest stars, or guest fighters, depending on context), are disting ...

in NBC sitcom ''

Friends ''Friends'' is an American television sitcom created by David Crane (producer), David Crane and Marta Kauffman, which aired on NBC from September 22, 1994, to May 6, 2004, lasting List of Friends episodes, ten seasons. With an ensemble cast ...

'', played by

Brad Pitt William Bradley Pitt (born December 18, 1963) is an American actor and film producer. In a Brad Pitt filmography, film career spanning more than thirty years, Pitt has received list of awards and nominations received by Brad Pitt, numerous a ...

* William Collins, a character in Jane Austen's ''

Pride and Prejudice ''Pride and Prejudice'' is the second published novel (but third to be written) by English author Jane Austen, written when she was age 20-21, and later published in 1813. A novel of manners, it follows the character development of Elizabe ...

'' * William "Will" Darnell, a character in ''

Christine Christine may refer to: People * Christine (name), a female given name Film * ''Christine'' (1958 film), based on Schnitzler's play ''Liebelei'' * ''Christine'' (1983 film), based on Stephen King's novel of the same name * ''Christine'' ( ...

'' * William "Bill" Denbrough, main protagonist in Stephen King's novel '' It'' * William Ellis, a survivor in the video game ''

Identity V ''Identity V'' is a 2018 free-to-play asymmetrical multiplayer survival horror game developed and published by the Chinese company NetEase(网易) in cooperation with Behaviour Interactive, creators of the similar game Dead by Daylight. Play ...

'' * Will Graham, in Thomas Harris' novel '' Red Dragon'', the film adaptations '' Manhunter'' (1986) and '' Red Dragon'' (2002), and the television series ''

Hannibal Hannibal (; ; 247 – between 183 and 181 BC) was a Punic people, Carthaginian general and statesman who commanded the forces of Ancient Carthage, Carthage in their battle against the Roman Republic during the Second Punic War. Hannibal's fat ...

'' (2013–2015) * William "Billy" Hargrove, from ''

'' * William Herondale, one of the main characters in the young adult book series ''

The Infernal Devices ''The Infernal Devices'' is a trilogy by author Cassandra Clare, centring on a race called the Shadowhunters introduced in her ''The Mortal Instruments'' series. The trilogy is a prequel series to ''The'' ''Mortal Instruments'' series. Cassandr ...

'' by Cassandra Clare * William Sherlock Scott Holmes, from the biography novel about the titular detective Sherlock Holmes '' Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street: A Life of the World's First Consulting Detective'' by William S. Baring Gould * William Kane, main character in ''High Noon'' *

William Kaplan William Kaplan (born 24 May 1957) is a Canadian lawyer, arbitrator, emeritus professor of law and author. He is a recipient of the ''Law Society Medal'' from the Law Society of Upper Canada (1999) for his contributions to the legal profession a ...

from Marvel comics * William "Billy" Loomis, main villain in '' Scream'' *

Billy Mitchell William Lendrum Mitchell (December 29, 1879 – February 19, 1936) was a United States Army officer who had a major role in the creation of the United States Air Force. Mitchell served in France during World War I and, by the conflict's end, ...

, a fictional character in the British soap opera ''EastEnders'' * William Murdoch, a main protagonist in the Canadian television series ''

Murdoch Mysteries ''Murdoch Mysteries'' is a Canadian television drama series that premiered on Citytv on January 20, 2008, and currently airs on CBC. The series is based on characters from the ''Detective Murdoch'' novels by Maureen Jennings and stars Yannick ...

'' * William "Billy" Nolan, one of the main antagonists in Stephen King's '' Carrie'' and its

adaptations In biology, adaptation has three related meanings. Firstly, it is the dynamic evolutionary process of natural selection that fits organisms to their environment, enhancing their evolutionary fitness. Secondly, it is a state reached by the p ...

* William "Bill" Overbeck, one of the main playable protagonists in

Left 4 Dead ''Left 4 Dead'' is a 2008 first-person shooter game developed by Valve South and published by Valve. It was originally released for Windows and Xbox 360 in November 2008 and for Mac OS X in October 2010, and is the first title in the '' Left 4 ...

and

Left 4 Dead 2 ''Left 4 Dead 2'' is a 2009 first-person shooter video game developed and published by Valve. The sequel to '' Left 4 Dead'' (2008) and the second game in the '' Left 4 Dead'' series, it was released for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360 in November ...

William Riker William Thomas "Will" Riker is a fictional character in the ''Star Trek'' universe appearing primarily as a main character in '' Star Trek: The Next Generation,'' portrayed by Jonathan Frakes. Throughout the series and its accompanying films, ...

, first officer on the Enterprise-D in the ''

Star Trek ''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the Star Trek: The Original Series, series of the same name and became a worldwide Popular culture, pop-culture Cultural influence of ...

'' franchise * William "Bill" Sikes, one of the main antagonists in Charles Dickens' novel ''

Oliver Twist ''Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy's Progress'', is the second novel by English author Charles Dickens. It was originally published as a serial from 1837 to 1839 and as a three-volume book in 1838. The story follows the titular orphan, who, ...

'' * William Solace, head healer and son of Apollo in ''

Percy Jackson & the Olympians ''Percy Jackson & the Olympians'' is a fantasy novel series by American author Rick Riordan. The first book series in his ''Camp Half-Blood Chronicles'', the novels are set in a world with the Greek gods in the 21st century. The series foll ...

'' and ''

The Heroes of Olympus ''The Heroes of Olympus'' is a pentalogy of fantasy-adventure novels written by American author Rick Riordan. The novels detail a conflict between Greek demigods, Roman demigods, and Gaea. In the fourth book of the series, there is also a f ...

'' * William Somerset, main character in ''Se7en'', played by

Morgan Freeman Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an American actor, producer, and narrator. In a career spanning six decades, he has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award, as well as a nomination for a Tony ...

* William Suarez, one of the main characters of Philippine television series ''

Widows' Web ''Widows' Web'' is a 2022 Philippine television drama crime series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Jerry Lopez Sineneng, it stars Carmina Villarroel, Vaness del Moral, Ashley Ortega and Pauline Mendoza. It premiered on February 28, 2022 o ...

'', portrayed by

Bernard Palanca Bernard Revilla Palanca Jr. (born December 3, 1976) is a Filipino host, film/television character actor, musician, and product endorser. Early life His maternal grandfather ''José Revilla é Irureta-Goyena'', also known as Armando Goyena, w ...

* William T. Spears, a reaper in the manga''

Black Butler is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yana Toboso. It has been serialized in Square Enix's manga magazine '' Monthly GFantasy'' since September 2006. The series follows Ciel Phantomhive, the 12-year-old Earl of Phan ...

'' by Yana Toboso * William Thacker, main character in ''Notting Hill'', played by

Hugh Grant Hugh John Mungo Grant (born 9 September 1960) is an English actor. He established himself early in his career as a charming and vulnerable romantic leading man, and has since transitioned into a character actor. He has received List of awards ...

* William Toughbutt, a character in ''Ninjago'' * William Traynor, in '' Me before you'' and its

film adaptation A film adaptation transfers the details or story of an existing source text, such as a novel, into a feature film. This transfer can involve adapting most details of the source text closely, including characters or plot points, or the original sou ...

* William Anthonio Zeppeli, a major character in ''

Phantom Blood is a 1987 manga series created by Hirohiko Araki, and the first main story arc of the larger ''JoJo's Bizarre Adventure'' series. The manga was originally serialized by Shueisha in ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' under the title and was collect ...

'', the first part of the Japanese manga series

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hirohiko Araki. It was originally serialized in Shueisha's manga magazine ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' from 1987 to 2004, and was transferred to the monthly manga magazine ''Ultra Jum ...

* William Maryblood a character in the anime Faraway Paladin

Saints

Royalty and nobility

British

Dutch

French

German

Sicilian

Cameroon

Other

Pre-modern era commoners

British

French

Other

Modern era

Several people

Others

Fictional characters

See also