Why all "williams" are called "Bill"?

Question

For eg. William J Clinton is Bill Clinton, Wiliam Gates is Bill Gates, William D Green is Bill Green.....

Answer 1

Just like all Roberts, are BOB.. Or Charles, are CHUCK.. etc..

It's just like an 'abbreviation'..

Answer 2

Apparently it comes from the German form of the name, in which the W is pronounced like the English V.  From "Vill" to "Bill" is just a slight step.

Answer 3

why is someone named richard called d**k? why is someone named christopher called chris or kip?

Answer 4

it's like robert to bob..people go william-will-bill as bills realy easy to say, robert-rob-bob

Answer 5

good observation!!!

Answer 6

I wanna know the answer too!

Answer 7

The word nickname derives from the Middle English phrase “an eke-name” where “eke” means “additional.” A nickname is a name, any kind of name, that one is called in place of one’s real name. Some nicknames are affectionate phrases used to describe a person. During the Middle Ages, many of these descriptive nicknames evolved to become surnames (last names, family names, etc.). But the most common type of nickname is the Diminutive, usually a shortened or otherwise altered version of one’s true name.

Diminutives are usually used with inferiors or equals, such as children and servants, or close friends or relatives. Usually meant affectionately, often times there are varying degrees of diminutives. A man is William to his acquaintances, Will to his friends, and Willie to his mother. Nicknames of this sort are among the oldest parts of language still used.

Note: Not "all" Williams are referred to as "Bill", Prince William was never addressed as Prince Bill of Wales. His nickname is "Willy", and the late Diana, Princess of Wales always called him "Willy."