There are believed to be 80 different ways to spell the name of English playwright William Shakespeare, including 'Shappere' and 'Shaxberd'. Shakespeare is known to have signed his name using variations such as 'Willm Shakp' and 'Willm Shakspere'. Due to no proper documentation, April 23, 1564 is regarded as his birth date and April 23, 1616 as his death date.