Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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

113 replies

GabiRussell · 19/03/2026 07:16

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.

OP posts:
cornbunting · 19/03/2026 08:17

Patrick and Michael are the frontrunners for me.

Although I like the name William, "Will Russell" sounds odd, like a prediction of the noise he's going to make walking along. Or possibly like he's going to become a livestock-thieving cowboy 😂

ihatecoffee · 19/03/2026 08:11

Hugo William Russell

fartoomuchtoblerone · 19/03/2026 08:10

LeedsLoiner · 19/03/2026 08:07

Jack ?

I know a family with the surname Russell who have a dog called Jack. I think you can guess which breed.

I can’t stand Hugo. Hugh and William are much better.

LeedsLoiner · 19/03/2026 08:07

Jack ?

Arregaithel · 19/03/2026 08:05

What about Gabriel @GabiRussell?

Of the 3 names, I think Hugh is a wee bit "old-fashioned", love both of the other two though. 😊

ScarlettSarah · 19/03/2026 08:04

Patrick!

Ozmumofboys3 · 19/03/2026 08:02

William, but I’m bias and have a William myself 😁

BinNightTonight · 19/03/2026 08:01

Patrick is a lovely name too!

GabiRussell · 19/03/2026 07:59

BinNightTonight · 19/03/2026 07:56

Aww thats a shame! That's my little boys name and we get nothing but compliments!

I love Benjamin too. Rufus?

It’s lovely! We do like Benjamin. Husband doesn’t like Rufus.

OP posts:
Randomchat · 19/03/2026 07:58

Hugh. I havent heard that name used in ages. But I really like it

BinNightTonight · 19/03/2026 07:56

GabiRussell · 19/03/2026 07:24

We do like Sebas. But my sister in law just had Sebastian about 3 months ago

Aww thats a shame! That's my little boys name and we get nothing but compliments!

I love Benjamin too. Rufus?

FasterMichelin · 19/03/2026 07:56

Personally I really dislike the name Hugo, and Hugh too.

So it’s William for me, but only if shortened to Will. They’re all pretty “stuffy” names to me 😳

Dobequiet · 19/03/2026 07:54

I love Hugo.
Then William.

GabiRussell · 19/03/2026 07:54

Myswweetchild · 19/03/2026 07:46

I love Patrick.
William is another favourite of mine.
Peter, Michael, Dominic, Wilfred ?

Yes. Michael is also on the list 5 :)

OP posts:
B1anche · 19/03/2026 07:53

Or Benjamin. Timeless and can be shortened in various ways

Mumtobabyhavoc · 19/03/2026 07:52

William Russell sounds best, I think.
I like Declan, Warren and Cody and I think they all suit a pairing with Russell as well.

Myswweetchild · 19/03/2026 07:46

GabiRussell · 19/03/2026 07:42

My husband also like Patrick (Paddy) Russell

I love Patrick.
William is another favourite of mine.
Peter, Michael, Dominic, Wilfred ?

GabiRussell · 19/03/2026 07:42

My husband also like Patrick (Paddy) Russell

OP posts:
Wells37 · 19/03/2026 07:34

William

TheatreTraveller · 19/03/2026 07:32

Definitely William, classic and timeless. Will is lovely too as a shortened version.

GabiRussell · 19/03/2026 07:27

Yes it’s not classic and very in vogue right now

OP posts:
EverardDeTroyes · 19/03/2026 07:27

William transcends time and class.

GabiRussell · 19/03/2026 07:26

Surname :)

OP posts:
muddyford · 19/03/2026 07:25

I love Hugh.

FunnyOrca · 19/03/2026 07:24

Hugo is a trend that will date him if you care about these things.