Which baby boy name suits best: William, Hugo or Hugh Russell?

GabiRussell · 2026-03-19T07:16:23+00:00

We’re having a son and can’t pick a name. We like Theodore (Theo) but that’s taken in our family. Husband doesn’t have too many boys names he loves. Really likes: William (Will) Russell Hugo Russell Hugh Russell Which do you prefer. Any other suggestions? We want a fairly timeless name that we won’t regret.

Sweetpea333 · 05/07/2026 16:46

Balonz 🤭

blackoverbillsmothers · 05/07/2026 16:45

William is the best and I really like Will but they’re all too well used for my taste.

Mind you my own son had a very underused name which has moved up the popularity charts rapidly in the last few years so there are no guarantees.

Original poster

GabiRussell · 23/03/2026 08:25

Maraudingmarauders · 20/03/2026 20:09

I have a William so I’m biased but we get complemented on it all the time despite it being ‘common’.
other options - James, Thomas, Peter, Benjamin, Jonathan, Edward, George

Love them all

OP posts:

SadTimesInFife · 21/03/2026 08:44

Julian. Rupert. Cedric. Monty. Horatio. Alexander.

Bundleflower · 21/03/2026 08:41

HoskinsChoice · 20/03/2026 22:50

Erm. Now I'm not sure if you're taking the piss!? I don’t think the several people who have questioned this in the thread are referring to an actor!

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I got down to the end of page two on Google and the only other William Russel was the former mayor of London. Which, obviously, kids in 2032 aren't going to know about either. So it can’t be him. You’ll have to enlighten me?

Lilacspring · 20/03/2026 23:28

William

SeaWitchly · 20/03/2026 22:55

William Russell sounds lovely and like a PP said, transcends class and time.

Hugh and Hugo are a little stolid imo and not as pleasing to the ear.

HoskinsChoice · 20/03/2026 22:50

Bundleflower · 20/03/2026 19:21

I had to google William Russell. Never heard of him. You really think children circa 2032 (when OPs child starts school) will have heard of, and bully another child, based on an actor that was born over 100 years earlier? I assume your comments a pisstake?

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Erm. Now I'm not sure if you're taking the piss!? I don’t think the several people who have questioned this in the thread are referring to an actor!

Figmentofmyimagination · 20/03/2026 20:29

Torin Russell. So cool. My favourite boy name, but I never had a boy grrr

Maraudingmarauders · 20/03/2026 20:09

I have a William so I’m biased but we get complemented on it all the time despite it being ‘common’.
other options - James, Thomas, Peter, Benjamin, Jonathan, Edward, George

staybyyou · 20/03/2026 20:09

William or Patrick. Not Hugo.

patooties · 20/03/2026 20:07

Willy Russell is a famous playwright

Easterbunnyishotandcross · 20/03/2026 19:30

Not 'You Go Russel' ....
*dc are cruel.

Miles?

mathanxiety · 20/03/2026 19:28

GabiRussell · 19/03/2026 07:42

My husband also like Patrick (Paddy) Russell

This is the one to pick.

It sounds really distinguished. Paddy is a sweet abbreviation too.

BreadstickBurglar · 20/03/2026 19:26

I know a few baby Hughs at the moment, maybe it’s becoming a thing?

I like William Russell but it’s just a bit “plain”?

These might be plain too but what about:

Joseph
Max
Jamie
Joshua
Henry

Bundleflower · 20/03/2026 19:21

HoskinsChoice · 20/03/2026 12:59

I assumed this thread was a pisstake. But if its not, you can't call your child William if your surname is Russell. The poor kid will spend his life having people making 'jokes' about it. There's a gazillion names out there, why not pick one that isn't the replica of someone so famous?

I had to google William Russell. Never heard of him. You really think children circa 2032 (when OPs child starts school) will have heard of, and bully another child, based on an actor that was born over 100 years earlier? I assume your comments a pisstake?

LostInSpaceNK · 20/03/2026 13:12

HoskinsChoice · 20/03/2026 12:59

I assumed this thread was a pisstake. But if its not, you can't call your child William if your surname is Russell. The poor kid will spend his life having people making 'jokes' about it. There's a gazillion names out there, why not pick one that isn't the replica of someone so famous?

Really? Is Willy Russell so prohibitively famous it rules out a baby Russell being named William? Are some well known and loved plays/films from the late 20th Century going to make life difficult for a boy growing to manhood in the mid-21st? I'd avoid William if my name were Shakespeare but not sure Russell is so problematic.

It's not as though Mr & Mrs Savile were asking MN if we liked the name James.

CoCoJones26 · 20/03/2026 13:06

Out of those already suggested, Edward or Monty get my vote as they seem to "flow" with your surname, unlike any of the 3 you listed!

HoskinsChoice · 20/03/2026 12:59

I assumed this thread was a pisstake. But if its not, you can't call your child William if your surname is Russell. The poor kid will spend his life having people making 'jokes' about it. There's a gazillion names out there, why not pick one that isn't the replica of someone so famous?

VaxMerstappen · 20/03/2026 11:58

George. He might have an F1 champion as a namesake by the end of this year!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 20/03/2026 11:54

PurpleCoo · 19/03/2026 08:29

I really like the name Hugo, but it's a very popular dogs name! I think I would struggle calling a child a popular dogs name, but if you don't mind this, it shouldn't matter.

My DD and DS both have "popular dogs names"" (not Hugo though)
I'm throwing Ralph into the ring. Ralph Russell sounds like a lawyer

Pumpkinmagic · 20/03/2026 10:20

William. Hugo is cut but very posh. Hugh is quite a grown up name, not a fan.

Original poster

GabiRussell · 20/03/2026 10:04

Sunshineismyfavourite · 19/03/2026 20:44

I love William (Will), Hugo and Monty. I know boys with all these names and they so suit them. All classics and timeless and perfect for young babies or older men.

So true! All classic.

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Original poster

GabiRussell · 20/03/2026 10:03

tinyspiny · 19/03/2026 20:42

William and Hugo are both lovely . What about Alastair or Christian ?

I do like Alastair, but I dated a guy with that name and it feels wrong.

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DivorcedAndDelighted · 20/03/2026 08:43

"Hugh Russell" just doesn't flow - it's an awkward change between the words.
Hugo and William both flow much more naturally into Russell, William slightly more easily. Both sound like smart, classic names.