Liam

Liam began life as a clipped name. Irish speakers wrote William as Uilliam, and in everyday speech dropped the opening sound, leaving Liam - much as English speakers turned William into Will or Bill, except that the Irish kept the end of the name rather than the start.

Its meaning therefore comes from William, and through it from the old Germanic Willehelm. The first part means 'will' or 'desire', the second 'helmet', which also carries the sense of protection, so the name is often glossed as something like 'resolute protector'. The Normans, among whom it was common, brought William to England in the eleventh century, and it stayed one of the most ordinary English boys' names for centuries. Cousins of Liam include Guillaume in French, Wilhelm in German, Willem in Dutch, Gwilym in Welsh and Uilleam in Scottish Gaelic.

Liam spread beyond Ireland as a name in its own right during the twentieth century, catching on in Britain before travelling across Europe and the Americas. It is said LEE-um, two syllables with the stress on the first. Spelling is rarely a problem, though a French variant, Lyam, also exists.

A short first name like Liam suits a longer middle name, such as Liam Alexander, Liam Patrick or, as a nod to its roots, Liam William. Brothers and sisters with a similarly gentle sound include Finn, Noah, Isla and Ella.