William Bradley
Name meaning, origin and global statistics
William Bradley is a name combining Germanic origins, bringing together "strong protector" (William) with "broad meadow" (Bradley). The first name William is a masculine given name of Germanic origin. From the Old High German Willahelm, composed of wil (will, desire) and helm (helmet, protection). Introduced to England by William the Conqueror in 1066. The surname Bradley: Bradley is an English surname derived from a placename meaning "broad wood" or "broad meadow" in Old English. It is also an Anglicisation of the Irish name Ó Brolacháin (also O’Brallaghan) from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. The family moved and spread to counties Londonderry, Donegal and Cork, and England. Like many English surnames, Bradley can also be used as a given name. A. C. Bradley (Andrew Cecil Bradley, 1851–1935), English Shakespearean scholar A. C. Bradley (screenwriter), an American screenwriter Abraham Bradley Jr. (1767–1838), first Assistant Postmaster-General of the U.S. William is one of the most widespread first names worldwide, carried by approximately 3.7 million people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name William reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.
Etymology & Origin
First Name: William
Meaning: strong protector
Germanic
From the Old High German Willahelm, composed of wil (will, desire) and helm (helmet, protection). Introduced to England by William the Conqueror in 1066.
Surname: Bradley
Meaning: broad meadow
English
Bradley is an English surname derived from a placename meaning "broad wood" or "broad meadow" in Old English. It is also an Anglicisation of the Irish name Ó Brolacháin (also O’Brallaghan) from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. The family moved and spread to counties Londonderry, Donegal and Cork, and England. Like many English surnames, Bradley can also be used as a given name. A. C. Bradley (Andrew Cecil Bradley, 1851–1935), English Shakespearean scholar A. C. Bradley (screenwriter), an American screenwriter Abraham Bradley Jr. (1767–1838), first Assistant Postmaster-General of the U.S.
Geographic Distribution
The first name William is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:
Popularity Over Time
Popularity of the name William by decade, based on birth registration data:
Name Variants & Related Names
The name William has several variants and related forms across different languages and cultures:
Notable People Named William Bradley
People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.
Numerology
According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for William Bradley:
Intuition and inspiration (Master Number 11). Amplifies spiritual awareness, creative vision and sensitivity.
Wisdom and introspection. A deep, analytical mind drawn to philosophy, spirituality and the search for truth.
Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.
Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the origin of the first name William?
- The first name William originates from Germanic. From the Old High German Willahelm, composed of wil (will, desire) and helm (helmet, protection). Introduced to England by William the Conqueror in 1066.
- When was William most popular?
- The name William reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
- What is the origin of the surname Bradley?
- The surname Bradley originates from English. Bradley is an English surname derived from a placename meaning "broad wood" or "broad meadow" in Old English. It is also an Anglicisation of the Irish name Ó Brolacháin (also O’Brallaghan) from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. The family moved and spread to counties Londonderry, Donegal and Cork, and England. Like many English surnames, Bradley can also be used as a given name. A. C. Bradley (Andrew Cecil Bradley, 1851–1935), English Shakespearean scholar A. C. Bradley (screenwriter), an American screenwriter Abraham Bradley Jr. (1767–1838), first Assistant Postmaster-General of the U.S.
- What are the origins of the name William Bradley?
- The name William Bradley combines two different traditions: the first name William has Germanic roots, while the surname Bradley originates from English.