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Baby names

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

Original poster

Wilfred

59 replies

mrsrvc · 21/01/2010 15:51

?We've a while yet until we need to decide but my current favourite name is Wilfred.
Any opinions?

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tummytickler · 22/01/2010 09:47

I know a couple of Wilfreds, 5 and 1 years. it is OK, but I dont really like 'fred' names.

I do LOVE Walter though!

MattSmithIsNotMyLoveSlave · 22/01/2010 09:29

I've known a couple of baby Wilfreds recently.

I remember when I was a teenager and one of my teachers named her son Noah I pulled a face to myself and thought "Ugh, old man's name". Within a decade it was a perfectly standard name that I wouldn't have thought twice about (I think Noah Wyle being on ER helped) and today it's been a solidly top-50 name for the last five years.

I think with Wilfred you're picking up on a name that's just a little way that same curve, which is why there are such polarised reactions at the moment.

twosofar · 22/01/2010 09:20

at JamieTorch x

Jamieandhismagictorch · 22/01/2010 09:18

^twosofar6 - not a statistic, just cool

twosofar · 22/01/2010 09:09

Jamie, I've just read your previous post - my elder son is Stanley...God I'm such a statistic!!

You are right re London. I grew up in the north and my sister's name (Annabel) was considered terribly flamboyant at the time (70's)...but guess what, everyone got used to it.

Second coming I love your sister's boys names.

Mrsrvc - i suppose it depends on whether you care if there are dozens of other kids with the same name?

BarbieLovesKen · 22/01/2010 09:01

I think its really, really awful. Sorry.

Like Edward and George though.

thesecondcoming · 22/01/2010 08:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Jamieandhismagictorch · 22/01/2010 08:53

twosofar - you can get away with a lot more here in London. I have a very unusual name myself but no-one bats an eyelid here - whereas in Essex, at the time I was growing up ......

twosofar · 22/01/2010 08:44

I have a 2 year old Wilfred. He gets called Wilfie or Wilf and it suits him down to the ground. My parents raised their eyebrows at first but obviously now he couldn't be called anything else.

I thought that I would have a much more negative response in RL but everyone always says how fabulous it is. We live in London so frankly there's plenty more weird and wonderful out there. Kids don't care, 20-40 somethings think it's great, old people comment how they haven't heard it since they were at school and it makes them happy to hear it again.

The only negativity I hear is on here... mainly from people who like the safety net of a James or Thomas or who are on a totally different wavelength with names like Kai and Kaden. Horses for courses

If you like it, then don't be put off!

oliviasmama · 22/01/2010 02:23

I like it....a lot

nappyaddict · 22/01/2010 01:49

I love it

upandrunning · 22/01/2010 01:33

We nearly have a teenage Wilf..I kyboshed it at the time..

do go for it but I think there could be a lot around now

but tis excellent solid name

upahill · 21/01/2010 18:36

Please don't

Merle · 21/01/2010 18:35

Sshh! Keep it to yourself, if you have to.

Jamieandhismagictorch · 21/01/2010 18:33

I like Edward (Ted) too - probably "safer" (if that matters to you)

Jamieandhismagictorch · 21/01/2010 18:32

I was wondering when people would start to like Wilfred. It seems the next step on from Stanley and Arthur etc, which have become more popular.

I like it, because I think of Wilfred Owen.

diddl · 21/01/2010 17:53

Like both Edward & George.

Original poster
mrsrvc · 21/01/2010 17:50

Thanks,
A nice mixture of people liking it and not.
I like William too, but it was my ds's middle name.

With Wilfred it can shortened to Wilf, Wilfie and Fred all of which we like.
We are also thinking of Edward (Ted/ Teddy) and George.
I think we will see what he looks like.

OP posts:
Original poster
mrsrvc · 21/01/2010 17:50

Thanks,
A nice mixture of people liking it and not.
I like William too, but it was my ds's middle name.

With Wilfred it can shortened to Wilf, Wilfie and Fred all of which we like.
We are also thinking of Edward ( ted/ teddy) and George.
I think we will see what he looks like.

OP posts:
GibbonInARibbon · 21/01/2010 16:39

I expected to be saying no but I do like it, shortened to Wilf it's lovely.

FimbleHobbs · 21/01/2010 16:34

I know a lovely Wilfie. I think its a great name.

Momdeguerre · 21/01/2010 16:33

Love it, we have been torn between Wilfred and Wilbur and have ended up going for the latter.

I like William but I just know so many!

upandrunning · 21/01/2010 16:30

YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED

(it's beautiful)

LetThereBeRock · 21/01/2010 16:30

Awful. William is much nicer.

Pineapplechunks · 21/01/2010 16:30

A bit too old-fashioned-made-trendy/cutsie-again for me.

Much prefer William with Will for short.

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