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Baby names

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

Original poster

Willa

56 replies

MissHenty · 24/09/2019 14:24

I’ve recently met a little girl with this name and have completely fallen in love with it. Having been obsessed with baby names for ages I’m always surprised when I come across a name I’ve not even heard of before. I love it’s simplicity. It’s lack of frills. Easy to spell and pronounce. But also the fact it’s familiar enough not to sound weird.

Now if only I could have a baby girl next.... 🤣

What do you all think ?

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Supergrassyknoll · 29/09/2019 01:07

Please, no

Mountainsofwashing · 29/09/2019 00:55

I love this name and wanted to use it so much, but eventually decided against it.

Reasons were Willow was becoming so popular and was more well known, so I thought this would bring about confusions. Also William still remains very popular so I felt it was female diminutive, making it less of a name in its own right.

We went with Tess.

Raaaaaah · 27/09/2019 17:25

Not on your nelly!

Original poster
MissHenty · 27/09/2019 16:53

Ahh that’s a shame ! Maybe for the next baby 😜

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Raaaaaah · 27/09/2019 16:21

It just scrapes into top 100 I think. It wasn’t that it was unusual (our DS has a classic but very unusual name). He just didn’t like the sound I think.

Original poster
MissHenty · 27/09/2019 16:08

@Raaaaaah no agree don’t say. I just wondered if I could guess. I’m always interested in how people choose names (I’m really sad like that).

I mean Willa is outside the top 2,000 names or something. Did you manage to get DP to agree to something outside the top 100/top 200?

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Raaaaaah · 27/09/2019 15:50

Not quite as mainstream or feminine as those but not far off. I would say but I have given loads of other personal details under this username so it would out me in a jot.

StroppyWoman · 27/09/2019 13:51

I love it - Willa Cather was a marvellous writer and Willa is a lovely name.

pumpkinpie01 · 27/09/2019 13:47

Its my granddaughters name ! (very sad back story as to how why they chose that name ) I wasn't too sure at first but it really suits her and has never been confused with Willow like I thought it would. Go for it !

Original poster
MissHenty · 27/09/2019 13:43
  • he actually likes Willa though (I think because we know one. If we didn’t he would definitely think it’s too “out there”)
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Original poster
MissHenty · 27/09/2019 13:43

Ps. What is it with DP’s wanting as standard boring names as possible! My DP is exactly the same!

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Original poster
MissHenty · 27/09/2019 13:42

Hmmm “boring”?! Going to try and guess. Is it too 10? I guess Isla or Grace or Lucy or Isabelle? (I like all those names btw)

@Raaaaaah

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Raaaaaah · 27/09/2019 13:01

A really boring one which I don’t love but DP does Grin.

Original poster
MissHenty · 27/09/2019 12:56

@Raaaaaah what name did you go for instead if you don’t mind me asking

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Raaaaaah · 27/09/2019 12:27

Love it. Wanted it for our youngest but DP said no.

BoggiesBonnieBelle · 27/09/2019 12:27

Like florascotia2, it makes me think of the writer Willa Muir. Which is good thing.

ZebraKid71 · 27/09/2019 12:25

Really like it. Only every heard willa cather, never met one in real life.

(also from South Yorkshire and definitely don't pronounce willow as willa.)

joystir59 · 27/09/2019 05:51

As in Wonka?

diddlediddle · 27/09/2019 05:38

It's very "now" isn't it.

Personally makes me think willy but that's just me...

I think it also feels unfinished as a name and doesn't have much gravity to it.

But, there are definitely worse names so if you like it go for it and it doesn't matter what other people think!

PenelopeFlintstone · 27/09/2019 00:17

I know. 7 year old one, named after her grandfather Bill.

Original poster
MissHenty · 27/09/2019 00:13

I want a daughter now too (mainly for the name 🤣) @ladycarlotta

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ladycarlotta · 26/09/2019 21:53

I love it. As in Cather. I want another daughter so we can call her it!

AfterSchoolWorry · 25/09/2019 12:08

Bad

GwenCooper81 · 25/09/2019 12:07

For what it's worth re: the name dating. The book I've just read with 'Willa' in it was set at the beginning of the 1900's. Still love it.

Original poster
MissHenty · 25/09/2019 03:26

@Atlasta I don’t see how the name will “date” when it’s so so rare. There’s currently less than 50 Willa’s born each year. It’s not even in the top 500.

I think a name would have to reach the top 50/100 and then disappear to be able to “date”

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