ウィリアム
Your name
William
in Japanese
The default way to write William in Japanese is ウィリアム — a phonetic katakana spelling that captures the sound and signals, instantly to a Japanese reader, that the name comes from elsewhere. But katakana is only one of three answers Japanese gives to a foreign name.
Below, we show all three. First the official katakana. Then a set of meaning kanji chosen to express what William actually means at the root — From Germanic 'Wil' (will, desire, determination) + 'helm' (helmet, protection) — meaning 'resolute protector' or 'strong-willed guardian'. Finally a set of ateji, the playful tradition where the kanji match the sound and tell their own small story underneath.
Katakana — Phonetic
How William is most commonly written in Japanese — used on official documents, business cards, and signage.
Meaning Kanji — Etymology
"William" means: From Germanic 'Wil' (will, desire, determination) + 'helm' (helmet, protection) — meaning 'resolute protector' or 'strong-willed guardian'.
意守
Ishu
Together: 'guardian of will' — a direct rendering of 'resolute protector'.
剛護
Gōgo
Together: 'firm defender' — captures the 'strong-willed guardian' essence.
志兜
Shitō
Together: 'helmet of resolve' — a poetic, literal translation of the Germanic roots.
Ateji — Sound + Meaning
Where the sound matches and the kanji tell their own small story. The Edo scholars and modern manga authors both played this game.
雨梨亜夢
U-ri-a-mu
A mystical, dreamlike image: 'rain on pear blossoms in a second dream' — ethereal and poetic.
宇麗有夢
U-rei-a-mu
Together: 'one who possesses a beautiful cosmic dream' — cool and grand.
羽里愛夢
U-ri-a-mu
Together: 'winged village of loving dreams' — cute and warm, like a storybook hero.
Not sure which form to use?
Katakana, meaning kanji, and ateji each belong to a different part of Japanese life — official paperwork, calligraphy and gifts, signatures and wordplay. Our full guide walks through when to reach for each one.
Read the guide: the three ways to write your name in Japanese →
Seven, drawn