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Baby names

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

Original poster

William or Oliver?

31 replies

CheerfulYank · 08/02/2015 22:23

Little brother to Samuel (Sam) and Margaret (Maggie).

I'm American and those names aren't as popular in my part of the US as they are there. :)

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ShadowsShadowsEverywhere · 10/02/2015 14:44

I couldn't chose, but that's because my DS has both these names, one as first and one as middle. So IMO you're onto a winner with either one Grin

Orangeboat · 10/02/2015 14:40

William

Original poster
CheerfulYank · 10/02/2015 05:24

Yes, he is! Thank you :) It's technically a secret as DS doesn't want to know, and doesn't want anyone else to find out either. So we took the easy option and told him we didn't find out.

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MummyBeerest · 10/02/2015 03:36

I vote for William.

So it's a boy? Congratulations!

Original poster
CheerfulYank · 10/02/2015 03:29

Not any more fizzy. :)

In 2014 William was #5 and Oliver was #52. I don't know any little boys called either though.

Willy for penis is not a concern. In the States Peter would be more of a common euphemism.

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CPtart · 09/02/2015 19:38

William (DS2 Middle name).

fizzycolagurlie · 09/02/2015 19:25

squash you find a lot more Olivers in the US than you do Williams. The most popular name from about 1967 till around 2006 was Michael.

squoosh · 09/02/2015 17:09

I'd probably go for whichever was rarest in America. So probably Oliver?

o0 · 09/02/2015 17:07

William.

My Ds3 has William as one of his middle names. I really wanted it as his first name but my DH didn't.

maryporter77 · 09/02/2015 17:03

Oliver.

silveroldie2 · 09/02/2015 16:42

I prefer William - nn Will.

skifanatic · 09/02/2015 14:42

Oliver.

William itself is ok, but I don't like Willi or Will (a word "Will, will you") as nicknames.

Sophronia · 09/02/2015 14:39

I much prefer William.

bienemaya · 09/02/2015 14:09

Do they use Willy in the US for penis? That would bother me about William.

Oliver is nice, if a little popular (in the UK).

hidingunderthebed · 09/02/2015 13:39

DS1 is William so clearly I love the name. He has always been William but in the last year he has decided to call himself Will, this came about as he has been teased by kids in him class as his name has willy in it... Something I never thought would be an issue but it has been for him. he wishes he was named Luke Skywalker .

Bowlersarm · 09/02/2015 10:44

William nn Will. Great name.

HollyBen · 09/02/2015 10:38

Oliver would be my choice of the 2. I like William but not the inevitable nicknames

reuset · 09/02/2015 10:30

Oliver

Original poster
CheerfulYank · 09/02/2015 07:13

Well, her grandmothers call her Margaret. But in this case they'd just call him William then.

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Original poster
CheerfulYank · 09/02/2015 07:12

That's true Suz but I feel like if we always introduce him as Will, that's what people will call him.

Everyone calls our daughter Maggie, not Peg or Meg or Margo or any other shortening for Margaret, so maybe I have false confidence! :)

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MyNameIsSuz · 09/02/2015 07:07

You say he'd be Will rather than Billy, but you can only control that to a certain point... if people want to call him Billy or Bill they will. So if you really don't like Billy B, I'd go for Oliver. I prefer William though!

Delilahfandango · 09/02/2015 07:02

William Smile

Eminybob · 09/02/2015 06:59

I vote for William, I am biased though.

Original poster
CheerfulYank · 09/02/2015 06:55

No fizzy, it will be one or the other. :)

I'm leaning toward William but I'm honestly torn!

OP posts:
Blahia · 09/02/2015 04:56

I prefer Oliver/Olly

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