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Baby names

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

Original poster

Name William

38 replies

Joey197 · 18/05/2026 21:19

Is William nice? Cute diminutives?

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Whataflippincircus · 15/06/2026 00:13

William is a really lovely name. 🩷

IdaGlossop · 14/06/2026 23:57

I have a godson called William and love the name as a result. He is in his mid 30s now and has been a delight since he was a baby - affectionate, thoughtful, good company and consistently good natured. He has never had a nickname.

KayEmAy · 14/06/2026 23:46

Nice but boring

Skybluepinky · 14/06/2026 12:03

Classic name.

GladHazelPoster · 14/06/2026 12:02

I like Cornelius, Liam, Patrick, Niall and Jarlath.
Aidan too.

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 25/05/2026 16:44

I have a William.

I call him William, or Will Bill.

His friends call him Will.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 25/05/2026 16:42

I have a William. He's always been Wills to the entire family (unless I am cross). It's a good serviceable name.

Seagullsandsausagerolls · 25/05/2026 16:39

I live in Northern Ireland so a no from me.

Another very petty reason a William broke off the belt on my Super Ted teddy back in 1995 when I was getting my tonsils out. Everytime I hear William I think about him.

Bellybellas · 25/05/2026 16:30

Silly Billy Willy are all awful nicknames.

Will isn’t great either as it’s such a common word. Will Will come?

JJB3 · 25/05/2026 09:49

Willy, Bill, and Billy (which I think he will inevitably be called at some point) are horrendously ugly to me. I’m not sure how those ever became popular.

Daffodilsinthespring · 25/05/2026 08:49

Lovely and I love Will

Amiacoolorwarmcolour · 25/05/2026 06:31

Too bland for me.
I really dislike the nicknames Billy and Willy too. I wouldn’t lumber a child with that.

Loures · 24/05/2026 23:13

It’s dull to me. I don’t particularly like any of it’s diminutives (Will, Willy, Bill, Billy, Liam, etc.) either. I also knew two awful adult ones, so that may be influencing my view.

Bellybellas · 24/05/2026 23:06

William is ok but the nicknames aren’t good unfortunately.

Will is a word - Will will’s will be written? Will will come?

Willy is obviously not good

Ibetthatyoulookgoodon · 20/05/2026 13:50

We have a William. So far (he's 5), he's still William but I assume he'll become Will to his friends when he is older.

moonshinepoursthroughmywindow · 20/05/2026 13:48

I like William and Will (and Liam but I think that's more often used as a separate name now). I don't like Bill or Billy, but I don’t think people will try to use them unless you suggest it - Will is the more common short form nowadays.

ainsleysanob · 20/05/2026 12:40

I don’t like William or Will but I love Billy!

Firebird83 · 19/05/2026 23:12

Love it with nn Billy.

SemperIdem · 19/05/2026 23:00

It’s an enduring classic.

Will/Bill/Billy/Liam are all well known diminutives.

OpheliaNightingale · 19/05/2026 22:57

I loved William, I wanted to use it, but my husband said it was ‘too English.’

The2ndMrsMaximDeWinter · 19/05/2026 22:36

I have a William (Will). He's a lovely man - would highly recommend the name!

Oasisinthearea · 19/05/2026 22:32

I have a William. Will. Lovely chap x

Berlinlover · 19/05/2026 22:19

My grandad’s name was William but he was known as Willie for his entire life.

OopsieeDaisy · 19/05/2026 22:18

I really like William but DH vetoed it when we had DC 2 because of the Willy shortening. I love Billy as a nn and don’t mind Will once they’re a little bit older.

Pistachiocake · 18/05/2026 23:13

Yes, it's like the classic royal and biblical names James, George, Luke, Alexander etc.
Class free, more or less, as in working class and lords have this name. I also like the fact it doesn't really date, as in my kids have friends with this name, and so do my grandparents, on the UK side.
Is it the most unique? No, but that's probably a good thing.