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Baby names

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

Original poster

Boris used our boys names - HELP

91 replies

Maybelatte · 03/05/2020 08:02

Obviously lighthearted to an extent but Wilfred was the only boys name DH and I agreed on and now I feel as though we can’t use it because people will draw parallels. We’re not Bojo fans at all so it’s honestly the last thing we want!

We liked Rupert until I remembered Murdoch and it put me off. We already have two DS’s called Edward and Jude to give you an idea of taste. We’re set on Clementine for a girl so hopefully it’s a girl Grin.

I’m due in July- HELP!

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Toddlerteaplease · 03/05/2020 16:35

I thought I'd get flamed for saying I hate the name Wilfred, especially as I knew someone called Wilf.

paradisefalls · 03/05/2020 16:33

Wilby?

LotusClover · 03/05/2020 16:32

I really dislike the name Wilfred anyway. On its own it's not too bad but it will get shortened to Wilf which is horrible IMO.

@Toddlerteaplease me too Grin

TenShortStories · 03/05/2020 16:29

What about Albert nn Albie or Bertie.

But I think you could still use Wilfred.

Toddlerteaplease · 03/05/2020 16:25

Wilfred always reminds me of the Biff and Chip books we read at infant school.

YappityYapYap · 03/05/2020 15:07

Wilfred? For some reason that name reminds me of one of the witches from Hocus Pocus and I don't know why 🤔

Sammy867 · 03/05/2020 14:42

There is also a little boy in my dds reception class called Ernest, or Ernie. He’s adorable and the name totally suits

Sammy867 · 03/05/2020 14:40

What about Winston?

Whatsyourflava · 03/05/2020 14:36

I bet if you asked 20 people at random in a few months time what Boris' new baby is called, the vast majority will have no idea.
Many will have forgotten and many won't have even registered the name in the first place.

I think a name like "Brooklyn" that's so associated with the Beckhams (and the place) would be a problem- especially as their children are featured heavily in the press. But not a gorgeous classic name like Wilfred, when the baby will be largely hidden from public gaze

Scubalubs87 · 03/05/2020 13:48

My Alfred is a Freddie/Fred.

ilovepuggies · 03/05/2020 13:46

Arthur

ilovepuggies · 03/05/2020 13:45

Wilbur

midsomermurderess · 03/05/2020 13:43

And I doubt we will be having or seeing much of the child. Johnson, for very clear reasons, certainly in the last decade, it fiercely protective of his children's privacy. He's the politician, the one with the public life, not them.

midsomermurderess · 03/05/2020 13:41

Willy is not a usual shortening for Wilfred, is it, for those saying it's problematic, especially in conjunction with Johnson. It's invariably shortened to Wilf.

dairyfairies · 03/05/2020 13:32

this is only news now. In a few weeks/months nobody will remember. I would use the name of you like it.

Lulubon · 03/05/2020 13:30

It would put me off too. I was worried he might use our boys name so I would be upset if he did. We have a friend with a son called Wilf, I know it's very similar but maybe because it's not exactly the same?

Original poster
Maybelatte · 03/05/2020 13:30

Edwin is nice but too close to our DS’s name, Edward. May just return to Rupert and put Murdoch out of my mind Grin.

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Original poster
Maybelatte · 03/05/2020 13:28

Apart from that,its an awful name and ripe for teasing as he will be called Willy

I mean, you could easily say the same for people called William but I don’t think they’re all referred to as Willy.

Are your friends and family boris fans? Or maybe daily mail readers?

No which is why I’m feeling so deterred Grin. It was announced across the board, definitely not just in the DM!

We might have a girl anyway so this will be a total non-issue but I guess you’re all right, people might not make the connection in a couple of months. We were both thinking of Wilfred Owen fwiw.

OP posts:
Wheresthebiffer2 · 03/05/2020 13:28

The response to anyone commenting on the Boris link is "ha ha". It might happen a handful of times in the first weeks, but after that no-one will notice or care. There are bigger problems.

If you really like this name (not my cup of tea, but hey ho), then use it.

Thesearmsofmine · 03/05/2020 12:37

Wilfred was a name we considered for ds3, I would use it, as others have said it will be a non issue.

The8eves · 03/05/2020 12:37

I say use it. People will forget - I couldn't name any of his other children. Perhaps don't look them up in case it rules out even more names!

Helskitchen · 03/05/2020 10:37

I think Wilfred is so lovely. I agree with others that this name will only be associated with BJ for a very short period of time. Certainly when your little one arrives it'll be a distant memory. Maybe in time you'll feel secure about your choice again. I have my fingers crossed for you as it is really gorgeous.

If you still feel that you can't get past the thought of any BJ association, there is the alternative, Wulfric which I think is to die for. I also think Edwin is a good match for what you're looking for.

Best of luck

Thanks
Whatsyourflava · 03/05/2020 10:31

I think it was at the front of everyone's minds yesterday as it was on the front pages of the papers. His son's name won't be mentioned much going forward. I really wouldn't worry (and I can't stand Boris but I'd still use this lovely name)
Do you know any of Boris' other children's names? I don't. Does anyone care.
There's plenty of people with Wilfred's these days so it's not a mega obscure name (like "Boris" actually) that people will link to a person. Unmummsy mum has a little boy called Wilf. I'd be much more likely to think of Unmumsy mum when I hear Wilf(red). Not Boris' son who won't be featured in the papers my hat all after this. Boris for all his faults has kept his kids out of the press. I mean there's probably a lot of different reasons for that but that's probably a topic for another thread.

Please still use the name - it's so lovely 🥰

jakeyboy1 · 03/05/2020 10:11

Whilst Edward and Jude are lovely I think Wilfred is awful sorry! So I'd say Bozza has done you a favour but I understand you're frustrated.

Nathaniel
Fraser
Albie /Albert
Benedict

Ontheblackhill · 03/05/2020 10:07

I liked Wilbur. It's a decent alternative