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Baby names

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

Original poster

Rupert, Wilfred or something else

58 replies

Minibea · 28/01/2021 19:58

Please help! I’m booked for a section in a fortnight and we still don’t have a name chosen Confused

Current faves are Rupert and Wilfred - middle name probably Henry but neither of us feel totally convinced about either of the front runners and we can’t seem to make a firm decision, now we’re not sure whether that’s because neither is “the one”. We already have a DD called Clara and we chose her name early on, never wavered and still love it.

Mumsnetters please cast your votes! I know neither are top 10 names and might be a bit marmite so if you hate both and have no helpful suggestions for alternatives feel free to keep your opinions to yourself!

OP posts:
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Whatsyourflava · 28/01/2021 22:09

I definitely wouldn't let Boris put you off, Wilfred is a very established name. It would be different if you were calling the baby "Boris" though. I'd avoid that.

I don't know the names of former prime ministers children, do you?

Wilfred is perfect

saraclara · 28/01/2021 22:03

Of the two names my favourite is Rupert but I do worry a bit about the “posh boy” connotations which is the thing that stops me being certain about it.

They both have 'posh boy' connotations. As do most of the suggestions that other posters have offered. To be honest (and nothing against posh people!) I don't like either/any of them.

RosesAndHellebores · 28/01/2021 21:59

What about Marmaduke?
Harold

LetItGoGo · 28/01/2021 21:55

Boris will be pretty much a footnote in history in a few years and many people couldn't tell you his child's name right now.

I wouldn't let that put you off.

Needhelp2021 · 28/01/2021 21:54

Thomas goes nice with Henry as a middle name

Original poster
Minibea · 28/01/2021 21:51

Thanks all, seems like Wilfred is the more popular choice which DH will be pleased about as it’s his favourite. I find the Boris connection a bit off putting and would hate people to think we’d copied them intentionally 😕 but it is a name we both keep coming back to.

Of the two names my favourite is Rupert but I do worry a bit about the “posh boy” connotations which is the thing that stops me being certain about it.

I have considered Wilbur but the Charlotte’s Web connection puts me off, also liked Percy but Percy Pigs and Ralph reminds me of a book i read as a teen where it was a name for a male’s appendage... lots of the other suggestions people have made are close family and friends’ names which we can’t have unfortunately. Might have to toss a coin on D-day!

OP posts:
FreshFancyFrogglette · 28/01/2021 21:44

Very unusual names. I think that's quite good, but something to be aware of, a lot of the time kids just want to fit in. Unusual names can stand out a bit, but I guess they could always use 'Will' as a nickname for 'Wilfred'?

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 28/01/2021 21:41

Wilfred is lovely and has a vintage/retro feel like Clara to me (and it also has an excellent variety nn choices if he wants - Will, Wilf, Fred/Freddie and even Wolf/Wolfie!)

Rupert is nice enough, but still suffers a bit from upper class stereotypes and "softer" feel I think (maybe because of the bear?).

I love Henry by the way! Similar classic names I like are Alfred, Hugh, Edward, Edmund, Frederick, John, Robert, Nicholas, Peter, Michael, Philip, Samuel, James and Alexander.

Marrilou · 28/01/2021 21:35

I prefer Rupert. One of the babies in my NCT group is called that and it suits him perfectly. I think it's sweet for a little one and respectable for an adult.

CloudPop · 28/01/2021 21:34

Montagu! Monty for short

Onlinedilema · 28/01/2021 21:33

I much prefer Rupert. I don't like Wilfred but do think it's in trend as it's very 'old man.'

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 28/01/2021 21:30

If I had to pick one I'd say Rupert. I think Wilbur is a nicer alternative to Wilfred.

Other names you might like.
Cedric
Cyril
Percy
Douglas
Herbert
Arthur

Whatsyourflava · 28/01/2021 21:22

Love Wilfred it's gorgeous. Use that

HainaultViaNewburyPark · 28/01/2021 21:12

I like both (DS has Wilfred as his middle name). Other names on my list were Erasmus, Guy, Hugh, Ivo and Percival

RosesAndHellebores · 28/01/2021 21:10

Humphrey
Tristan
Gawain
Edwin
Xavier

I prefer Wilfred.

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 28/01/2021 21:09

I like Wilfred - like the mouse in Brambly Hedge.

CommanderBurnham · 28/01/2021 21:06

Hubert

Aspiringmatriarch · 28/01/2021 21:05

Wilfred

peapotter · 28/01/2021 21:05

Do you have strong feelings on Roop/Ruph or Wilf? Because many kids will shorten it at some point

I much prefer Wilf. Also comes across as more “class free”, whereas Rupert has more stereotypes.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 28/01/2021 20:55

I don't know any Wilfreds at all, but two baby Ruperts within the last few months.

I don't have particularly strong feelings about either name, but Wilf is a cute nn...

UmmH · 28/01/2021 20:54

Frederick

OloBo · 28/01/2021 20:51

I love both. Rupert slightly more timeless, and feels slightly less “brave”

Chilldonaldchill · 28/01/2021 20:42

I prefer Rupert of those options - I think Wilfred will become much more popular as it's one of the old-man-chic type names.
However I would choose Rufus over Rupert as I think it's just a bit cooler.

MondeoFan · 28/01/2021 20:39

Wilfred, Percival, Wilbur, Grey

LetItGoGo · 28/01/2021 20:39

Wilfrid reminds me of Aidan, Cuthbert and Bede.