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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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SwedishEdith · 18/05/2026 23:04

Will is a very positive sounding name - "I will".

Tonissister · 18/05/2026 23:00

I like it. Would have considered it but it was already taken in our close family.

But... not so keen on the shortened versions - Will, Bill, Billy.

KeeleyJ · 18/05/2026 22:57

It's a great name, obviously avoid the Willy/Wullie nn though.

LivingTheDreamish · 18/05/2026 22:45

It's classic without being remotely pompous - lovely name. Will is my favourite shortening (not Willy for obvious reasons, and Billy always sounds a bit silly).

Giraffehaver · 18/05/2026 22:28

I think it's a really handsome name. Only nice boys/ men I know are called William

Floppyearedlab · 18/05/2026 22:26

Great name
Will is a good shortened version.

ThatMintMember · 18/05/2026 22:25

I really like it, it's on my baby name list. I also like Will or Billy as shortened versions too :)

CoastalCalm · 18/05/2026 22:12

My DH is a Will but I prefer to called him Willy 😂

user293948849167 · 18/05/2026 22:04

Yes it’s nice
I wouldn’t shorten it but Will if you really want to, Willy is an obvious no and I don’t like Bill/Billy

BluLavender · 18/05/2026 21:47

I loved the name William but DH wasn’t in love with it.

Would have shortened to Will. Grew up with a few Wills in school and they were always nice boys x

Calliopespa · 18/05/2026 21:46

I am a big fan of the Henry, Charles, Edward, James, Alexander variety of names, so I should love William but somehow it is just not quite up with those others.

Is it because Prince William ignited a rash of baby boys called William when I was a girl? Maybe, but I think it has more to do with the diminutives Willy and Will, and the fact a lot of Williams I know (and I know a lot!) tend to be slightly humourless.

But it isn't a bad name. I couldn't say "whatever were they thinking?"

Tellmetomorrow57 · 18/05/2026 21:32

It's a perfectly fine name.

I prefer Billy to Will(y).

Couldn't get over Harry's narration in his self indulgent audio book 🤣

Chapbook · 18/05/2026 21:23

It’s — completely standard. Like Edward, George, James, Henry. I can’t work up any particular excitement about it.

Will, Bill?

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