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Baby names

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

Original poster

What do you think of Willow and Willa

64 replies

Lilonetwo · 25/03/2018 20:40

What do you think of Willow or Willa (for a girl)

I've always thought Willoe was a bit too hippy. But I've come across the name Willa which I also quite like.

Is Willow/ Willa too 'trying hard to be different'?

I'd like a name that's not too common but not too 'out there's or try hard. If you don't like these names, what else would you suggest.

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ListeningtoBowie · 26/03/2018 07:51

No

Ilovewillow · 26/03/2018 07:46

Meant to add we don't live on a council estate but not sure it would make a difference if we did!

Ilovewillow · 26/03/2018 07:46

I have a Willow and it wasn't very common at all when we named her except in the cat/dog community. I think it's a beautiful name and it suits her despite her being in the short side so definitely not willowy as yet! Willa feels a little unfinished to me but pretty nonetheless!

SomeRandomBird · 26/03/2018 07:45

I know two toddler Willows, one middle class one council estate, both beautiful.

AvoidingDM · 26/03/2018 07:31

Willow is ok. Willa I totally agree with pp will get end up getting called willy.

inamechangedforthispost · 26/03/2018 07:25

If you name a child Willa then they will not thank you for it when they get to school. They will be called Willy all day long, kids will think it's hilarious.

I know a Willow, she is very tall and well, Willowy! She really suits her name, I like it.

Original poster
Lilonetwo · 26/03/2018 07:14

Sorry to ask this... But is Willow a little bit... Council estate? Blush

OP posts:
MollyHuaCha · 26/03/2018 04:38

Willow is nice.

BicycleHorn · 26/03/2018 04:31

I have always loved Willow, I think it's a really beautiful name although my DP isn't keen. First time I've heard of Willa I am not keen in the slightest, it seems like a spelling mistake of Wilma.

Sophronia · 26/03/2018 03:39

I like Willa and Wilhelmina / Willemina

mathanxiety · 26/03/2018 00:36

I love Wilhelmina. There are lots of nice potential nicknames too.

Willa - love too. Love the author. It's an old-fashioned American name.
Willow - love but the bearer of the name would need to be slim for it to suit, imo.

Bouncingbelle · 26/03/2018 00:11

Willa is awful, frumpy, middle-aged & will be relentlessly teased by kids at school.
Wilhelmina is equally awful.
Willow sounds like a wishy-washy nothing sort of name to me, but popular at the moment so other people must like it.

bombcyclone · 26/03/2018 00:03

I know a baby Willa, named for the author. Her parents are wonderful, elegant-but-down-to-earth people. And she's beautiful. The name suits her perfectly.

elQuintoConyo · 25/03/2018 23:59

Willa Cather, fantastic author (My Antonia). Willa is lovely. Willow is a bit... flaccid, for want of a better word.

DamsonOnThisDress · 25/03/2018 23:59

My dog is called Willow. Pretty name.

I'm not too keen on Willa though, sorry.

FusRoDah · 25/03/2018 23:56

I don't like Willa at all I'm afraid. Ditto Wilhelmina.

Willow is pretty but all the Willows I've ever met have been people's cats, which would put me off using it tbh.

ShovingLeopard · 25/03/2018 23:54

I know a little two year old Willa. I think it's cute. It does remind me of Ramona the Pest, though!

Zaya71 · 25/03/2018 23:52

I like both. I've only ever heard Willa as in Willa Cather but know quite a few toddler/baby Willows.

Shadowboy · 25/03/2018 21:37

I have a Willow. It really suits her. She’s tall, dark and slim. Lucky really that it suited her.
Willa is fairly common in the states. I know two both from the USA

HoratioNightboy · 25/03/2018 21:32

Willa is a proper name, it's the Shetland version of Willina, a female form of William popular in 18th/19th century Scotland . It's still in use today, albeit rare. Just one or two a year.

Original poster
Lilonetwo · 25/03/2018 21:29

Oh do you think it's a name that will insight bullying? Sad

Perhaps they will have to be a certain type of person to carry off the name Willow. DH and I arent 'cool'.

The more I think about it, the more I like Willow.

Smile
OP posts:
Zazzleza · 25/03/2018 21:19

Considering Willow for our baby if a girl but concerned about being teased at school. Children can be cruel and it’s too easy...

faireemuff · 25/03/2018 21:17

Willa will get willy all day long.

Willow is beautiful

TroysMammy · 25/03/2018 21:07

Wasn't Willa-Jean the baby, Howie's sister, in Ramona the Pest?

BennyTheBall · 25/03/2018 21:03

Willa is just silly.