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does the baby name we love go with our surname??

37 replies

BillysClaire · 28/07/2011 15:01

Hi everyone.

I am new on here, just trying to get some advise and peoples opinions on whether the baby name we love goes with our surname.
Our 2nd child is due in the autumn and we are having another boy :) We absolutely love the name William and always have but we are not sure if it goes with our surname, which is Billingsley.

honest opinions on the name William Billingsley...

Thank you

..so confused.. Confused

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kat2504 · 28/07/2011 15:07

I'd certainly try to make sure it wasn't abbreviated to Billy!

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MrsOzz · 28/07/2011 15:07

Well it is a but of a mouthful. But I think Billingsley is quite a mouthful with whatever name:

James Billingsley
Joshua Billingsley
Harry Billingsley

So if you love William then use it :)

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TobyLerone · 28/07/2011 15:09

Billy Billingsley? Hmm

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sancerrre · 28/07/2011 15:10

It goes perfectly due to the repetition of the L's. Sounds like a very successful lawyer type.

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Iamkenny · 28/07/2011 15:10

I suppose it does partly. William Billingsley, Will Billingsley - it is a bit of a mouthful to say.
You could get away with it. It's just the l's that get in the way.

But yeah it could work though there are names of the same ilk that go better (I'm thinking Charlie/Charles, Harry etc)

Congratulations and hope that helps

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hocuspontas · 28/07/2011 15:11

Sorry but it reminds me of when I hear names like Phil Phillips or Dave Davies - no imagination on the part of the parents!

I think I'd go with a one-syllable name or at least a different vowel sound. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John type names.

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GwendolineMaryLacey · 28/07/2011 15:13

I love Billy Billingsley, it sounds great.

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BillysClaire · 28/07/2011 15:14

I wished we liked another name but we are really struggling.
We love traditional names but we have so many nephews that most of the nice names have already gone.

We love William and Will for short. But agree people could call him billy.. which wouldn't work :(

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InstantAtom · 28/07/2011 15:15

Very similar... people are bound to come up with Bill Billingsley before too long. I agree with Iamkenny that another name in similar style might go better.

George Billingsley
John Billingsley
Aidan Billingsley
Miles Billingsley
Edward Billingsley
Oliver Billingsley
Samuel Billingsley
Frederick Billingsley
Daniel Billingsley

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princessdave · 28/07/2011 15:19

My MILs maiden name was Billingsley! I'd never heard of it before but I like it. William is lovely but Billy Billingsley might be a bit much... Daniel is a good fit as InstantAtom suggested. My MIL has a brother called Peter but I think his nickname is Arthur which I quite like too. Good luck!

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BillysClaire · 28/07/2011 15:26

Thanks everyone.

Like the list InstantAtom, Samuel/Sam is 1st sons name :)

I quite like alfie and Harry too but hubbie isn't keen.

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BillysClaire · 28/07/2011 15:31

anymore new suggestions would be great too thank you :)

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princessdave · 28/07/2011 15:50

Alexander (Alex)
Robert (Bobby / Rob)

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BillysClaire · 28/07/2011 16:26

how about Jacob/Jake Billingsley?

or even Jacob William Billingsley?

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princessdave · 28/07/2011 16:39

Like and like BillysClaire!

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scarlettlips · 28/07/2011 16:49

IMO too many I's and L's...It's just a bit of a mouthfull all together. We have the same problem with our surname and the name was William too!

What about Thomas/Tom??

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BikeRunSki · 28/07/2011 16:51

it's fine. I think people overthink names "going" far too much. Once you put them together and get used to them they "go" whether you liek it or not.

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BillysClaire · 28/07/2011 16:54

love thomas too but its my nephews name.
what do u think about jacob/jake?
maybe jake william or jacob william?

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InstantAtom · 28/07/2011 17:11

Jacob William Billingsley sounds great :) and Jake for nickname is also very nice.

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iklboo · 28/07/2011 17:13

Jacob/Jake sounds lovely
Sam & Jake Billingsley....Smile

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BillysClaire · 28/07/2011 17:20

ooh thank u..yeah i am liking that too.

i like jacob william billingsley / jake william billingsley

and quite like harry james billingsley too???

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seeker · 28/07/2011 17:23

Henry.

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SoupDragon · 28/07/2011 17:24

People most likely won't call him Billy if you've introduced him as Will. They may say "oooh! Billy Billingsley!" when first introduced I guess but, actually, that doesn't sound too uncool :)

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whostolemyname · 28/07/2011 17:55

I like it OP, if you both like it, go for it!

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pilates · 28/07/2011 18:56

Do you think young children will know that William can be shortened to Billy?

I don't.

I think if your family and friends make a conscious effort to let people know he is a William/Will it will not be shortened.

My niece is a Katherine and no one has ever called her anything else.

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