What is Bill Gates’s full name, including his generational suffix?

Bill Gates’s full name is William Henry Gates III.

He was named William Henry Gates III after his father, William H. Gates Sr. The suffix “III” indicates that he is the third person in his family line to carry the same name. In everyday use, he has almost always been known as Bill Gates rather than by his formal name.

The nickname “Bill” is a shortened form of William, a common naming tradition in English. His father was a prominent Seattle attorney and civic leader, while his mother, Mary Maxwell Gates, served on several corporate and nonprofit boards.

A common mix-up is treating “Bill Gates” as his complete legal name. His middle name is Henry, and “III” is part of the name commonly given in biographical references.