WIlliam. It’s a flexible name. Will, Willy, Bill, Billy, Billlie. Even Guillaume, Wilhelm, Weilym, Guillermo. Does any other name have as many forms? And such variety in nominative determinism?
In its full form, it’s a serious name, the name of kings, of presidents and prime ministers (McKinley, Pitt), of philosophers (Ockham), earnest and important writers and actors (Shakey, Wordsworth, Blake, Faulkner, Boyd, Burroughs, Yeats, Baldwin, Dafoe, Hurt, Macy, Shatner).
Shortened, it’s a name of action – Kemp, Smith, Sergeant, Ferrell – I’m too busy for the full name
Sweetened, it’s a bit silly – Bragg, Goat, the Kid, Childish, Connolly, Corgan, Fury, Joel
Feminised, it stands its own – Holiday, Jean King, Jo Spears, Piper, Ray Martin, Whitelaw
But it’s as plain and simple, rough, tough ‘Bill’ that it really stands up to scrutiny. A rugged, honest, dependable name – a sign of unshowy quality, someone who has put in the effort and performed. Look at this list and marvel at the strength of characters presented: Bailey, Berry, Bixby, Browder, Bruford, Bryson, Clinton, Evans, Frisell, Haley, Hicks, Laswell, Maher, McKibben, Murray, Nighy, Oddie, Pullman, Shankly, Ward, Watterson, Withers, Wyman.
Who deserves top Billing? Which Bill to pay the highest compliment?
