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Thoughts on boy's names please - Arnold or Wilfred?

72 replies

RookieMama · 23/05/2017 21:53

Hi all, our second son is due in a month and we are still struggling with names - I found people's thoughts on here really helpful last time around so thought I'd try again. So, what do you think about Arnold (Arnie to his friends) or Wilfred (Wilf)? Both would have middle name James. I suspect they are both a bit marmite but I'd welcome your honest reactions! We're after something old English and not too well-used but also not so obscure that we feel silly shouting it across the park! Thanks in advance Smile

OP posts:
LittleBoyBlue91 · 23/05/2017 22:04

I'm early/mid 20's and there used to be a popular cartoon on TV as a kid called Hey Arnold. Not really for me to pass judgement either way but it might be helpful to know where they've appeared in popular culture

tinhead · 23/05/2017 22:06

Arnold - no way

Wilf is cute

Spadequeen · 23/05/2017 22:07

Wilf is a great name

nameohnameohname · 23/05/2017 22:09

Wilf!

buttercup54321 · 23/05/2017 22:10

Wilfred is alright but prefer William. Arnold NNOOOOOOO!!!!

sonlypuppyfat · 23/05/2017 22:12

Oh for the love of everything good pick a nice name Wilfred and arnold are truly awful. Could you imagine Brad Pitt being called Wilfred

RedastheRose · 23/05/2017 22:13

Both awful in mho!

Sophronia · 23/05/2017 22:14

Wilfred

GeillisTheWitch · 23/05/2017 22:15

Neither, sorry.

EmmaC78 · 23/05/2017 22:16

I don't like either - sorry!

TheMysteriousJackelope · 23/05/2017 22:18

Unfortunately I do not care for either and especially Wilfred, although being named after Wilfred of Ivanhoe should have something going for it.

How about Arne? (pronounced Arnie).

ButTheBearSnoredOn · 23/05/2017 22:20

I really dislike both I'm afraid.
How about Arthur?

applecatchers36 · 23/05/2017 22:22

Wilfred.. Wilf is great

Chocolatecake12 · 23/05/2017 22:27

What's your first sons name? It might help us to suggest other names that might go well with his name.
I'm really sorry to say that I don't like either of your choices.
How about Herbie / Bertie (Herbert)

saladsmoothie · 23/05/2017 22:27

Wilfred is a fabulous name. I know a 10 yr old Wilfred. He's such a cool kid and his name suits him. He's Wilfie to his Mum and Granny, Wilf on his sports teams.

saladsmoothie · 23/05/2017 22:28

I like Arnold too though.

JoWithABow · 23/05/2017 22:29

Whoa, what's with the harsh comments??! Not everyone has to like the same names do they, otherwise we'd all be called them same thing.

Out of the two I'd pick Wilf/Wilfred - can imagine it on a cute baby/toddler & also as a grown up too.
Arnold/Arnie might make people think of Arnold Schwartzenegger or however you spell it

SmilingButClueless · 23/05/2017 22:32

Wilfred. I just can't get past the Red Dwarf association with Arnold...

SuperBeagle · 23/05/2017 22:44

Wilfred by a million miles.

Arnold will always be Hey Arnold! to me, and I think it's a really awful name anyway.

DramaAlpaca · 23/05/2017 23:12

Of the two, Wilfred. But I don't like either, sorry.

Jooni · 24/05/2017 06:56

Wilfred. Love Wilf.

Arnie just makes me think of Schwarzenegger.

Thatextrainch · 24/05/2017 08:13

I think Arnold is German rather than old English. I like Arnold, it's quite rare these days, 23 born in 2014. Wilfred had 310 registered in 2015 (see Dark Greener site).

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MollyHuaCha · 24/05/2017 08:25

Wilfred

Joinourclub · 24/05/2017 08:28

Wilfred is a million times better. Quite popular though, I do know 2 pre school Wilfs.

MaroonPencil · 24/05/2017 08:29

I absolutely love the name Arnie, it is one of my favourites. I didn't use it because a/ Terminator guy whose name I can't spell and can t be added to check and b/ not that keen on Arnold as a full name. Or I wasn't then, but it's growing on me now.

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