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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Willoughby

41 replies

snowmumtobeinchaos · 20/12/2010 15:24

... for a girl. It's traditionally a boy's name (not just a surname!) but has been used in the USA for girls too. What are your thoughts please? Does anyone know a Willoughby anywhere? And are they happy with their name?

I like the name, think it's really pretty, but am worried this would condemn the child to a lifetime of having to repeat her name, spell her name on the phone etc. Please be honest with your views!

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ipsofactocollapso · 14/06/2015 06:32

I like it. I also like Waverley/Waverly and Willow. W names are cool.

PallasCat · 11/06/2015 16:12

I like Willoughby! Could shorten to Willa or Libby. I get that it's controversial, but I like it.

florascotia · 10/06/2015 17:23

Whatever OP - presumably long gone - said, Willoughby IS a surname.
www.behindthename.com/name/willoughby

reuset · 10/06/2015 12:07

I know one too MrsMarigold. Though he goes by his middle name, Peter Grin

reuset · 10/06/2015 12:06

More used as a surname, obviously. More used for boys. Little used in general as a first name as you'd expect.

Not a good first name. Pretentious and weak.

MrsMarigold · 10/06/2015 09:23

Very flaky sort of a name.
I know a man called Willoughby and he is generally pitied.

BertrandRussell · 10/06/2015 09:23

Clemency?

WizardOfToss · 10/06/2015 09:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sweetpeame · 10/06/2015 09:19

Hmmm I don't like surname as first name type names generally so for that reason I'm not a fan. It's not a good idea to use this name for a girl as you've already established. Your DD would spend her life being mistaken for a boy until people met her...very annoying. I don't like Willow especially but it might be an option if you're looking for a similar sound?

Quasilulu · 10/06/2015 01:26

I was called Willoughby by my parents before I was born as in Willoughby a boy or a girl. They became more sensible when I was born though!

beccax6 · 09/06/2015 23:55

My little boy is called willoughby. I absolutely love it and at 2 years old he doesn't seem to have a problem with it. Who ever says no and they hate it go tell them to piss off!! It's your choice and I really can't see the baby hating their own name. It's not like it's called north west or anything! I assume my little boy will be called will when he's older. Which I have no problem with. Would love to know what the names of the children are from these criticising parents. Willoughby is a lovely name.

glub · 20/12/2010 21:55

i thought this was a thread about the new fern

belgo · 20/12/2010 18:56

Willow is far better for a girl.

ShoppingDays · 20/12/2010 18:55

Serena
Jennifer
Anneliese
Violet
Cecilia
Julianna
Audrey
Abigail
Constance
Coralie
Marianne
Lucia
Josephine
Genevieve
Victoria

minipie · 20/12/2010 18:51

This is a long shot but if you are after something "literary" and a bit unusual - how about Marilla? (from Anne of Green Gables)?

Or Harper?

MissAnthropy · 20/12/2010 18:47

My great, great, great uncle was called Willoughby. His brothers were Theopholis, Herbert and Harrington. Salt of the earth miners they were. Grin

traceybath · 20/12/2010 18:45

Oh I adore Wilberforce but have an Arthur Montgomery too Smile

FlightoftheCrimbleTree · 20/12/2010 18:29

I really wouldn't. We have a wilberforce and even on a boy it is derided and ridiculed.

I agree you have a nice name there but really, I just wouldn't! Smile

Janoschi · 20/12/2010 18:25

Can I pipe up and confess I really love Willoughby for a girl...? (Ducks back down for cover)

mathanxiety · 20/12/2010 18:13

I've heard Carrington used as a girls' name in the US -- very much a southern thing. I assume the appeal is that it's 'fancier' than Carrie and has that surnamey vibe, and English-sounding surnames are considered very posh there (you don't get many little Kowalskis running around).

Desiderata · 20/12/2010 16:12

Might suit a Texan oil baron.

Are you?

ShoppingDays · 20/12/2010 16:10

It sounds like a place name or surname.

Willow for a girl, or William for a boy are nice names.

Nightstar · 20/12/2010 16:07

I would think about meanings as good reasons. If a name has a nice meaning i think it's more justified.

You can go with Verity as it means Truthfull and Felicity as it means Happyness.

Original poster
snowmumtobeinchaos · 20/12/2010 15:59

I do like Verity and Felicity.

Although I slightly worry that they might be seen as a bit posh/aspirational. (Whereas Willoughby would have been too random to be classifiable - or at least, that was my logic...)

Still, Verity and Felicity are now on the list, thank you!

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Original poster
snowmumtobeinchaos · 20/12/2010 15:55

Ooh Tracey - glad I'm not the only one at least! I really like Beatrice one of my good friends called her daughter Beatrice last year and I'm loathe to copy (or to be seen as copying, rather, as I'd liked it for aaages!)

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