The familiar name William belongs to the modern reception of an Egyptian object, not to a surviving ancient label. Keeping those histories separate makes the figurine’s popularity more interesting.
The Met’s account of the nickname traces it to a 1931 Punch story by Captain H. M. Raleigh about a framed colour print. The museum republished the story, and the name became associated with the object. Its authors also caution that the entertaining family narrative is likely largely humorous fiction.
Draw two short timelines: one for the ancient figurine and its documented collection history, another for the modern story and nickname. Do not transfer the fictional print’s imagined powers into a factual account of the ancient object.
This distinction is useful when reading museum souvenirs or popular retellings. A memorable name can guide people towards a collection while also creating associations that need explanation.
In a caption, call William a modern nickname and identify the figurine separately. That small addition preserves both the charm of the reception story and the different evidence used to study ancient Egypt.
An object can acquire new meanings long after its making. Recording those meanings with dates and sources lets them enrich its history without pretending they have always been there.
Illustration selected from this site’s existing collection.