William in Chinese
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: resolute protector
The standard Chinese transliteration of William, pronounced Wēi Lián. The characters are chosen for sound: 威 (wēi, "power, majesty"), 廉 (lián, "honest, upright"). Native speakers will immediately recognize it as the name William.
Character Breakdown
Note: Reads as the name "William" to native speakers; the characters are chosen for sound, so don't expect a poetic meaning. Use a proper calligraphy font and have a native speaker check the final stencil (stroke order and orientation).
A Chinese-style given name inspired by the meaning of William ("resolute protector"), expressing strength and courage: 威 (wēi, "power, majesty") + 远 (yuǎn, "far, distant, profound").
Character Breakdown
Note: A meaning-based Chinese given name; it will not sound like your English name, so pair it with an explanation if that matters to you. Traditional form 威遠 differs from simplified 威远; pick one script and keep it consistent. Use a proper calligraphy font and have a native speaker check the final stencil (stroke order and orientation).
Opens with 威 (wēi, "power, majesty"), which echoes the first sound of William (Wēi), and adds 恒 (héng, "constant, persevering") for strength and courage. It reads like a natural Chinese given name with a nod to your English one.
Character Breakdown
Note: Looks and sounds like a genuine Chinese given name while still echoing your name; a popular choice for tattoos. Traditional form 威恆 differs from simplified 威恒; pick one script and keep it consistent. Use a proper calligraphy font and have a native speaker check the final stencil (stroke order and orientation).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you write William in Chinese?
The most common way is 威廉 (traditional: 威廉), pronounced Wēi Lián. This is the standard phonetic transliteration you would see in Chinese media and translations.
What does 威廉 mean?
威廉 is a sound-based transliteration, so as a whole it simply means "William". Individually: 威 (wēi) = power, majesty; 廉 (lián) = honest, upright. If you want real meaning, try 威远 (Wēi Yuǎn), inspired by the meaning of William: "resolute protector".
Which Chinese name for William is best for a tattoo?
Choose 威廉 if you want people to recognize your name, 威远 if you prefer meaning over sound, or 威恒 for a natural-sounding Chinese name that still echoes William. Whatever you pick, use a calligraphy font and ask a native speaker to check the final design.