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Original poster

Willoughby - love it or hate it?

104 replies

katiemonkey · 16/04/2012 17:27

We're really keen on calling our first DS Willoughby, but are having second thoughts as we've had quite a lot of negative reactions! What do you think of the name? If you don't like it, can you suggest any other three syllable alternatives?

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seeker · 19/04/2012 22:53

You're condemning him to s lifetime of " no, it's short for Willoughby, not William. Yes she is a bit bonkers, but she's lovely in lots of other ways"

janie2 · 19/04/2012 20:53

There was a Willoughby in my parent and baby group! I can't remember if they shortened it or not. don't think they did in the first instance, I guess he'll be nearly 4 now so probably is Will...

I much prefer it to some of the names I see on here Hmm

minipie · 19/04/2012 13:43

Willoughby is the particularly unpleasant chap out of Sense & Sensibility.

Also, it's a surname.

I wouldn't, for those reasons.

Three syllable alternatives:

Dominic
Rafferty
Alexander
Nathaniel (ok, 4 syllables)
Julian
Frederick
Lysander
Peregrine
Benedict
Benjamin
Gabriel
Sebastian (4 again)
Zachary
Tobias

ComposHat · 18/04/2012 22:58

Don't, really please don't.

It'll make him a magnet for bullies and sounds absurd. It sounds like something you'd name a randy Labrador.

thegreylady · 18/04/2012 21:26

I love it

theboutiquemummy · 18/04/2012 09:37

I like it, its unusual and he can always shorten it I say go for it x

sleepywombat · 18/04/2012 05:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

seeker · 18/04/2012 05:27

Only in the film, trikken. Not a lot of people know that!

trikken · 17/04/2012 23:29

I think the colonel's first name is christopher, but dont quote me on that. Confused

ArielThePiraticalMermaid · 17/04/2012 23:04

The Colonel Grin

"The Colonel is here Marianne!"

seeker · 17/04/2012 22:52

The character in Sense and Sensibility was called John. And Ferrars was...Edward, I think. Brandon didn't have a first name - unless it was Colonel.

seeker · 17/04/2012 22:49

I'm not sure he would be called Willyboobies- but being called Willoughby is bad enough!

totallypearshaped · 17/04/2012 22:27

I think he might be called willy-boobies, or will-he-won't-he

Try Wolfgang, or Wilfred

WhiteHairReally · 17/04/2012 22:18

I had a teddy bear called Willoughby. He was named after Catherine of Aragon's last lady-in-waiting, and the Duke of Suffolk's second wife. Doubt these associations will bother your DS much though...

EightiesChick · 17/04/2012 14:31

I am not usually one for out-there names, but I really like it! Lovely shortening available with Will. I can't believe it's getting such negativity here considering some of the names people post!

My main association would be Sense and Sensibility. He is a cad, yes, but then Ferrars isn't as exciting and Brandon's only got 2 syllables. I don't think you will be troubled by lots of people bringing this up.

The Holly W association won't last. I am Hmm at her letting Keith Lemon stick her with the boobie nickname. Idiot. It's not even funny.

vogonmothership · 17/04/2012 14:15

It's a suburb of Hull.

FairyArmadillo · 17/04/2012 14:11

I love it! But unfortunately I also thought- Holly Willoboobie. And I don't even watch the show.

Teladi · 17/04/2012 14:05

I know a Willoughby but she is female!

MagsAloof · 17/04/2012 14:02

lol@seeker

Cue a life of 'Will Bloggs, Sir? Is that Will short for William?'
'Urr, no, that's Will short for Willoboobie'

seeker · 17/04/2012 14:01

Oh, it's not a lovely name, whippet- it's stupid! And I bet deep down you know it, and you're glad your partner won't let you use it!

whippetwoman · 17/04/2012 12:54

It's a lovely name. It's one of the names on my shortlist but I can't persuade my partner. Although as I love the name Roscoe, you may not think I have good judgement! I've come across one Willoughby in RL. It's a cool alternative to William and Will is a great nickname. If they don't like it they can just be Will.
I am glad you are sticking to your guns :)

MagsAloof · 17/04/2012 09:01

Awful! Surname-ish and very pretentious as a first name.

Wilbur is sweet.

DonInKillerHeels · 17/04/2012 09:00

I thought "girls name". Too much like Willow.

exoticfruits · 17/04/2012 08:59

Hate it.

doctordwt · 17/04/2012 08:43

Totally hate it. Doesn't even sound like a nice word. No positive associations at all. Grim.