Vilhelm

Vilhelm is a masculine given name used in Denmark and Norway as the local form of Wilhelm. The name itself is of Germanic origin and combines elements meaning “will” or “desire” and “helmet” or “protection.” Its Danish and Norwegian spelling with a V reflects orthographic tradition in those languages, while forms such as Wilhelm exist in other regions. The name has been in use since the Middle Ages and remains a traditional choice in Nordic countries.

Regional usage and variants: In Sweden, both Wilhelm and Vilhelm are encountered, with Wilhelm being particularly common in modern times. Across the Nordic region, Vilhelm has been borne by several notable cultural and scientific figures, and it continues to appear in contemporary naming practices.

Notable people named Vilhelm include Vilhelm Bjerknes, a Norwegian physicist and meteorologist; Vilhelm Hammershøi, a Danish painter; Vilhelm Lauritzen, a Danish architect; Vilhelm Moberg, a Swedish author; and Vilhelm Pedersen, a Danish illustrator who contributed to early editions of Hans Christian Andersen’s tales.