Willem


Willem is such a fantastic name because it’s quite close to William (also one of my favorite names), but it has a dash of adventure and nonconformity to it that William desperately lacks. With William, I think of a lawyer or a professor, but it’s harder to come up with an image for Willem. It’s so different and unique a name that the child can form their own image, separate from that of their name. Willem is a Dutch name, and it, of course, originates from William. I also like the way it sounds- will-em, so fast and spry, yet mellow, the name of a bright, inquisitive boy who likes challenges and isn’t afraid to ask questions.

Willem is the Dutch form of William. A noted Willem was Willem De Kooning, a Dutch abstract expressionist painter. The actor Willem Dafoe was born William, but later changed his name to Willem, reportedly in honor of de Kooning.
See Also: William

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