Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Baby names

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

Thoughts on the boys' name Woody if we have a son?

221 replies

MaxiMoomins · 11/04/2026 23:15

Really struggling with boys names. My partner loves Woody and I’m trying to get on board. I think it’s cute but I don’t LOVE it yet..
How do people feel about it??

we don’t know the gender yet! 😁

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
pepinillo · 12/04/2026 06:50

Miranda65 · 11/04/2026 23:22

It's a nickname, not a proper name.
Can you imagine a 50 year old Woody?

I know a middle aged Woody (British) and my dad was Woody (American) his entire adult life. Neither were called Woody as children. 🤷🏻‍♀️ But I do agree it's a nickname.

marmite123456 · 12/04/2026 06:50

Yeah, sorry but it means hard-on. You wouldn't call him that.

Joystir59 · 12/04/2026 06:48

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Bournetilly · 12/04/2026 06:46

I wouldn’t use it with the new Toy Story film coming out soon. It’s also slang for erection where I am from too.

Thisisnotadrillwakeup · 12/04/2026 06:45

Talipesmum · 12/04/2026 00:47

In many professional workplaces, there are names way way more unusual than Woody. We have people working globally and it would be pretty unprofessional if we all sniggered at every non-standard-British type name we came across, given many of us are from all over the world with a full variety of names and also nicknames. Honestly, the more professional the workplace, the less odd an “unusual” name sounds.

A UK born and raised child with a name like slang for erection or a character from a kids movie - is not the same as a typical name for a non UK employee.

This is a British person with a name that is a nickname at best. Not a racist ploy.

It’s like my boss was called Mr. Sticky Jones. Or Mr. Stiffy Jones. Not sniggering at global names just harder to conceive of a consultant in orthopedics called Woody/ Sticky/ Stiffy.

Empress13 · 12/04/2026 06:40

MaxiMoomins · 11/04/2026 23:40

Calm down dear.

I’m entitled to my opinion in the same way all the **s are 😏

If you don’t like the answers don’t ask the question!

Empress13 · 12/04/2026 06:39

Woody in Bay City Rollers is who I remember

ChristmasStars · 12/04/2026 06:34

Miranda65 · 11/04/2026 23:22

It's a nickname, not a proper name.
Can you imagine a 50 year old Woody?

Yes. Woody Guthrie. We nearly named ours after him but Toy Story meant I vetoed it.

TeenToTwenties · 12/04/2026 06:33

I think especially with Toy Story 5 coming out soon it isn't a great actual name.

I like the PPs suggestion of Edward nn Woody. Then he has a choice.

ChaToilLeam · 12/04/2026 06:31

Sore, but my associations for that name are Toy Story, slang for an erection, a cartoon woodpecker and a Bay City Roller.

How about Woodward or Woodrow, and then use it as a nickname? As a given name it's just not good.

MinnieMountain · 12/04/2026 06:27

Give him an actual name rather than a diminutive.

I know a 12yo Edward who is generally called Woody.

Duvetdayneeded · 12/04/2026 06:24

No!!!

gostickyourheadinapig · 12/04/2026 06:23

I would dislike it even if it didn't make me think of Woody Allen.

JuliettaCaeser · 12/04/2026 06:23

It’s slang for an erection. Why would you do that to your son?

CurlewKate · 12/04/2026 06:17

Edward if you must. But it does mean erection.

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 12/04/2026 06:17

Yep, I really like it.

rockinrobins · 12/04/2026 06:15

My husband liked it - short for Woodrow.

I wasn't keen, but not because I think it's silly or he would have been bullied. I think it's a perfectly fine name and sort of cute, just not one of my favourites.

If you like it then go for it.

Daffodilsinthespring · 12/04/2026 06:12

Call him Edward - Nick name Woody

youalright · 12/04/2026 06:07

AmberSpy · 11/04/2026 23:24

I'm sure I've heard woody used as slang for an erection... It's an absolutely dreadful name, sorry.

Yes it is this would bother me more then the toy story thing

IeatPotNoodles · 12/04/2026 05:46

Elwood NN Woody.

shiningcuckoo · 12/04/2026 05:12

When I was in my late teens I had a boyfriend called woody. It was a nickname from his last name, but used exclusively. He was sex on a stick. Super popular too - no mocking or teasing at all. Wonder where he is now - sigh.

AntiqueBabyLoanSmurf · 12/04/2026 03:22

MayaPinion · 12/04/2026 03:09

It would be ok as a nickname, but Woodrow, Elwood, Oakley or Forest might be a better option as a ‘real’ name.

Oakley just makes me think of Ned Flanders: "Oakley-doakley, neighborooney!"

AntiqueBabyLoanSmurf · 12/04/2026 03:20

CribbagePatch · 12/04/2026 00:33

Why are people so hung up on the erection slang when Willy short for William never gets this kind of grief yet is a far more obvious penis reference, and is, in fact, lauded on here? Posho snobs is why.

I like Woody. I have met two (plus been to Woody Cook's Dj set!), it's a cool name imo,

How many people (except for maybe a few very elderly men) do you know/meet who go by the name Willy nowadays? William, Liam, Will, Wills, Bill maybe; but Willy?!

"Hi, lovely to meet you - my name is Willy........."
Waits for a raised eyebrow/smile/smirk/laughter/comment... every single time

It's the same with Dick: you get plenty of men and boys known as Richard, Rick, Ricky, Rich... but again, it's only usually very old men who will happily go by the name Dick. In fact, even if they do want to be called Dick, they will find a lot of their emails never get through to the recipients, as they're either automatically blocked/quarantined or sent straight to spam.

MayaPinion · 12/04/2026 03:09

It would be ok as a nickname, but Woodrow, Elwood, Oakley or Forest might be a better option as a ‘real’ name.

BewareoftheLambs · 12/04/2026 03:07

I think it has become pretty popular, there are two local to us. It did used to be slang for a hard on when I was at school so that would make me a bit nervous about using it.

Swipe left for the next trending thread