Unveiling The Etymological Connection: How Did William Become Bill?
Through contraction, nicknames, diminutives, and hypocorisms, the formal “William” has evolved into the informal “Bill.” Contraction trimmed “William” to “Will,” while “Bill” emerged as a nickname, possibly from its first syllable. The diminutive “Billy” expresses affection, and “Bill” can assume the role of a hypocorism, conveying closeness. This linguistic journey reflects the dynamic nature of…