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Baby names

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

Original poster

Positive comments on the name Wilf please!!

83 replies

user1467701718 · 22/05/2022 22:04

My husband and I have pretty much decided our baby boy will be Wilf. However, I made the mistake of reading some threads with opinions on the name and have read a lot of negative reactions to the name which has knocked our confidence with it! Can I ask for anybody with positive associations with the name to share them. I don’t need to hear the negative thoughts again! Thank you 😊

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DarleneSnell · 23/05/2022 08:13

I think rather than our opinions - ask yourself (or DH actually!) would YOU want to go through life called Wilf?

Personally I'd choose Will. You never hear it on young kids, the 3 little Williams I know all go by the full version. Will is cool.

TitoMojito · 23/05/2022 07:52

starlingsintheslipstream · 22/05/2022 22:22

It's a perfectly nice name. I think of Wilf Mott from Dr Who. He's one of my favourite characters.

My first thought too Smile

itsgettingweird · 23/05/2022 07:52

There's a MNer with a son called called Wilf. She posts a lot about him.

He's an amazing chap who's faced such adversity and come through it all.

I always think of him when I hear the name and think of it positively.

KangarooKenny · 23/05/2022 07:50

No, don’t do it. You have to imagine a teenager with the name.

bloominglovelyorange · 23/05/2022 07:48

Wilf is a lovely name and won't raise any eyebrows in 2022 (apart from a few on mumsnet). Great choice

Butterfly44 · 23/05/2022 07:32

Asking for positive comments means you know negativity surrounds the name more

violetbunny · 23/05/2022 01:59

What is the point of this thread? If you've already decided this is what you're calling your child, it doesn't matter what people comment as it will make no difference.

StageRage · 23/05/2022 01:03

I love Wilf / Wilfred

AuntTwacky · 23/05/2022 00:58

Awful

Bunty55 · 23/05/2022 00:53

I love it !

SugarNspices · 23/05/2022 00:49

The only positive is the wilf from the kids reading books sorry I can't think of a better one because it's really not a great name

smileygirl1995 · 23/05/2022 00:42

My nickname is wilf as I used to walk like my uncle Wilfred, if you named him Wilfred and shortened it to wilf when he's older if he doesn't like wilf he can change it to will or Fred, I personally don't mind it as it's a family thing (I'm a women though) so when giving my old email address or out in public etc it does sometimes catch people off guard and I have been known to hear the odd comment from people who heard it wrong 😆
I think it adds to the humour sometimes and give us all something to laugh about in our family.
Go for it!!!

SomersetONeil · 23/05/2022 00:30

OP - there isn’t one single name that it universally liked.

Not one.

Even really popular names are disliked by lots of people.

Why are you asking us for positive comments? What difference do those comments make, when the negative ones are also out there?

Either have the courage of your convictions and give your child the name you have chosen - and make your peace with the fact that some people don’t like it.

Or, if you’re put off by the negative comments, go with something else.

Just like every single other person on the planet Earth, who’s named a child, has done since time immemorial.

JessesMum777888 · 23/05/2022 00:24

I personally don’t like it.
you might not like my sons name.
its all about what YOU like x

notangelinajolie · 23/05/2022 00:21

I love Wilf and I think it is a lovely name. Wilfred on BC though.

DramaAlpaca · 23/05/2022 00:12

I've wracked my brains and I can't think of anything positive to say about it. So I'll keep quiet.

toastedcat · 23/05/2022 00:09

Can't believe how rude the first few people were.

Wilf is cute!

SandcastleQueen · 22/05/2022 23:22

Love the name Wilf, makes me think of speed skater Wilf O'Reilly!

Mol1628 · 22/05/2022 23:12

I love the name Wilf. I would use Wilfred on the bc.

I know Boris Johnson used it but I think it’s common enough for this generation of babies that it wouldn’t be associated with that.

MangoMaddie · 22/05/2022 23:09

I like it but I would assume you were a Boris fan.

girljulian · 22/05/2022 23:06

I like "Wilfred"; I think it's a gentle, pleasant name with a nice sound. But I would give the whole name -- then he can be Wilf, or Wil if he wants, or Wilf with family and friends/Wilfred in a professional context, etc.

stepuporshutup · 22/05/2022 23:06

Sorry but I don't understand if you only want positive posts then why bother posting

pinklavenders · 22/05/2022 22:59

It’s a bit odd asking for people to tell you your choice is a good one. It’s your child. He’s hardly going to come back onto MN as a teenager/grown man and berate us for giving him that name, is he 🤔That’s going to be all on you.

I agree. Why are asking us for 'positive' opinions? Personally I dislike Wilf and Wilfred but thankfully we all have different tastes! Choose a name YOU love,

Katyaadlerscoat · 22/05/2022 22:43

Aw, it's lovely. Makes me wonder how MN's very own Wilf is doing.

NohoHank · 22/05/2022 22:40

Livercool · 22/05/2022 22:06

Does it not stand for Woman I'd like to F*?
I don't think you can use that.

I've never heard Wilf used in that context.

It's a lovely vintage name OP. I know one little wilf and he really suits it.