National Liam Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Events

National Liam Day is celebrated on August 8. Liam is an Irish name that carries the meanings of ‘protector’ and’strong-willed combatant.’ It is a shortened form of the Irish name ‘Uilliam,’ which was derived from the Frankish name ‘Willahelm.’ The combination of the Old German elements ‘willa’ (‘will’ or’resolution’) and ‘helma’ (‘helmet’) resulted in the name ‘Willahelm,’ which means ‘helmet of will’ or ‘guardian.’ When the Frankish Empire was divided, each province’s name evolved uniquely. In the Northern region of the Empire, Willahelm evolved first into ‘Willelm’ and then into ‘Willaume’ in the languages of Norman and Picard. It became ‘Guillaume’ in Ile-de-France French. Today, Liam is a trendy alternative to the traditional boy’s name ‘William.’

The background of National Liam Day

Even though the names ‘Willahelm’ and ‘Guillaume’ were common in England prior to 1066, they were still considered foreign. The Norman Conquest affected English names, resulting in the extinction of the majority of Saxon names due to the enormous influx of French ones. The Royal Court at this time included Alain, Reginald, Guy, and William. They were rapidly adopted by the English, the Welsh, and ultimately the Irish.

Within a generation, these new names had become so assimilated that they were considered indigenous. Simultaneously, distinct species evolved and flourished. In Wales, William and Gwilym became popular, along with their abbreviated forms ‘Wil’ and ‘Gwil,’ and most villages have a Gwilym Williams.

In the 1990s, the name Liam became immensely popular in the United States, and the trend appears to be spreading swiftly across the globe. However, the opposite was true in the United Kingdom. There, the name was prevalent prior to 1996, but its usage has declined since then.

In other countries, the moniker ‘Liam’ can vary. These consist of ‘Guillem’ in Catalan, ‘Wilhelmus’ in Dutch, ‘Vilhelm’ in Finland, ‘Ulick’ in Irish, ‘Guilherme’ in Portuguese, and ‘Gwilym,’ ‘Gwil,’ and ‘Gwilim’ in Welsh.

No saint was known by the name ‘Liam.’ There were, however, multiple William saints throughout history. St. William of Gellone, also known as William of Aquitaine, was the most prominent. He held the titles of warrior, nobleman, and recluse. Saint William is remembered for fighting alongside his cousin Charlemagne to defend Christianity. His feast day is observed on May 28, the date of his demise.

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NATIONAL LIAM DAY EVENTS

Explore history

Discover more about the name ‘Liam.’ Explore as much of the past as you can to discover interesting truths.

Name your child

Are you anticipating a boy and searching for a suitable name? Liam would be an excellent name for your child.

Kiss a Liam

If you have any Liams in your life, embrace them with all your heart. Giving them a present would be a wonderful bonus.

5 ‘LIAM’ facts that will surprise you

Unlike most other Irish names, the pronunciation of Liam is relatively straightforward.

Since 2013, Liam has been the most popular boys’ name in Canada.

In 2013, the Social Security Administration reported that Liam was the second most prevalent name for boys in the United States.

14-year-old Payne auditioned for Season Five of “The X Factor” in 2008.

In 2020, “Most Dangerous Game” was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Best Short Form Comedy or Drama Series.

NATIONAL LIAM DAY DATES