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Baby names

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Original poster

Wilf - strong or weak sounding?

33 replies

3nearly4 · 16/01/2011 16:09

Having a Wilf/Wilfred conversation with DH today but I think it sounds terribly weak. I just picture a weak old man hunched over a walking stick, which is a shame as I do really like the name!

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bluecheesefiend · 17/01/2011 09:58

I know a Wilfie - as with all names, it has grown with its owner (now age 5) and they are both terribly cute.

Remember, there was a time when "Rose" and "Grace" were considered very old fashioned and cobwebby but they're now back up there on the most popular lists.

The nice thing is when you can get a great name at a time when everyone else isn't using it.

poissonrouge · 17/01/2011 09:58

Oof. Shouldn't have read this thread.

Edmundo · 17/01/2011 09:54

Weak. Wilt springs to mind!

I know of quite a few born of late so I agree that maybe the next Alfie.

shouldnotbehere · 17/01/2011 09:43

weak

belgo · 17/01/2011 08:36

It will date badly but what is wrong with that? Most names will date. It would be boring if everyone was called timeless names such as James/William etc.

lottiejenkins · 17/01/2011 08:34

I have a Wilfred and there is nothing weak about him!!!

purpleiris · 16/01/2011 23:22

I love it! DH does not. Yes there's Wilf in the books, yes there's What I'm Looking For, yes it's an old man's name, and there's probably a lot more associations. For me, my great grandad!

But it's meaning is 'peace'. And I think it sounds gorgeous with all the other 'old man now popular' names - Oliver, Jack, Thomas, Joseph etc etc etc...

Cloudbase · 16/01/2011 22:43

It's a nice name, but I will forever associate it with the strange inventor chap who used to be on children's TV in the 70's - I think he might have been on Vision On if anyone else remembers it?

On the other hand, if I try really hard, I can imagine some blonde teutonic God type.

On the whole, I am in favour

dittany · 16/01/2011 22:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

seeker · 16/01/2011 22:30

Awful. Just don't!

brittan76 · 16/01/2011 22:27

I can also see it going down the Alfie/Alf route which I also happen to find weak sounding.

brittan76 · 16/01/2011 22:21

WEAK. So utterly weak. Not a name for a man at all, doesn't even sound strong enough for a baby.

PollyMorfic · 16/01/2011 22:15

You need to know that the reading scheme used in the majority of UK schools (Oxford Reading Tree) has a Wilf and a Wilma in it.

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=blog-imgs-23.fc2.com/x/r/i/xrincox/wilf-wilma.gif&imgrefurl=xrincox.blog90.fc2.com/blog-category-9.html&usg=__khUR4xfKGD0Wo5uniwlfFrqbj8A=&h=210&w=222&sz=12&hl=en&start=0&sig2=qdG--MaRdt8HFj9G41F8xw&zoom=1&tbnid=cNxxxh-nRl5Z4M:&tbnh=147&tbnw=155&ei=QW0zTY38NpSxhAe6w6WgCw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwilf%2Band%2Bwilma%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26biw%3D1440%26bih%3D694%26tbs%3Disch:1%26prmd%3Divns&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=327&vpy=97&dur=3168&hovh=168&hovw=177&tx=107&ty=97&oei=QW0zTY38NpSxhAe6w6WgCw&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=34&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Look, here they are. They are nice, but have quite dodgy haircuts.

This may bother you, or it may not. But be warned, if you say 'Wilf' to the vast majority of primary-age kids, that's what they will think of.

LoopyLoopsIsNoLongerFestive · 16/01/2011 22:10

Weak. Right up there with Tim, Ashley and Lesley.

Original poster
3nearly4 · 16/01/2011 20:59

Merle, I have positives and negatives for a lot of names. Quite normal I think.
Same goes for Felix. I love the name but I can't erase the image of a cat from my mind.

I love Hector but now worry about the meaning 'to bully'.

OP posts:
avaj · 16/01/2011 19:11

Sounds pretty weak and limp to me!

Merle · 16/01/2011 18:08

I don't understand how you can 'really like the name' but have a (presumably, negative) image of 'a weak old man, hunched over a walking stick.'

Do you or don't you?

JojoMags · 16/01/2011 17:56

I have a 3 yo Wilf. He is robust and full of vitality with curly blonde hair and blue eyes. I also know a grown up Wilf who is a very sexy/rugged outdoors type (no connection to my son!), so obviously think it is a great name. Much more interesting than Will.

cece · 16/01/2011 17:04

The only Wilf I know is a dog.

PuppyMonkey · 16/01/2011 16:59

I think it's a daft name. Neither strong nor weak, just plain daft. Pmsl at a surfer named Wilf, sorry.

AndOnAndOnAndOn · 16/01/2011 16:58

I like Wilf but not so keen on Wilfred, no idea why though! Doesn't strike me as particularly strong or weak though - somewhere in the middle?!

babybear1983 · 16/01/2011 16:57

I think it's a strong name, I know a couple of baby Wilfs. I love it!

tethersend · 16/01/2011 16:52

Bramble.

NacMacFeegle · 16/01/2011 16:50

I love it, and think it is strong.

Greeninkmama · 16/01/2011 16:30

The Wilf I know is the son of a teacher! I always liked it but DH vetoed it.