Willoughby

[snowmumtobeinchaos]

... for a girl. It's traditionally a boy's name (not just a surname!) but has been used in the USA for girls too. What are your thoughts please? Does anyone know a Willoughby anywhere? And are they happy with their name?

I like the name, think it's really pretty, but am worried this would condemn the child to a lifetime of having to repeat her name, spell her name on the phone etc. Please be honest with your views!

My great, great, great uncle was called Willoughby. His brothers were Theopholis, Herbert and Harrington. Salt of the earth miners they were.

This is a long shot but if you are after something "literary" and a bit unusual - how about Marilla? (from Anne of Green Gables)?

Or Harper?

Serena
Jennifer
Anneliese
Violet
Cecilia
Julianna
Audrey
Abigail
Constance
Coralie
Marianne
Lucia
Josephine
Genevieve
Victoria

Willow is far better for a girl.

i thought this was a thread about the new fern

My little boy is called willoughby. I absolutely love it and at 2 years old he doesn't seem to have a problem with it. Who ever says no and they hate it go tell them to piss off!! It's your choice and I really can't see the baby hating their own name. It's not like it's called north west or anything! I assume my little boy will be called will when he's older. Which I have no problem with. Would love to know what the names of the children are from these criticising parents. Willoughby is a lovely name.

I was called Willoughby by my parents before I was born as in Willoughby a boy or a girl. They became more sensible when I was born though!

Hmmm I don't like surname as first name type names generally so for that reason I'm not a fan. It's not a good idea to use this name for a girl as you've already established. Your DD would spend her life being mistaken for a boy until people met her...very annoying. I don't like Willow especially but it might be an option if you're looking for a similar sound?

Clemency?

Very flaky sort of a name.
I know a man called Willoughby and he is generally pitied.

More used as a surname, obviously. More used for boys. Little used in general as a first name as you'd expect.

Not a good first name. Pretentious and weak.

I know one too MrsMarigold. Though he goes by his middle name, Peter

Whatever OP - presumably long gone - said, Willoughby IS a surname.
www.behindthename.com/name/willoughby

I like Willoughby! Could shorten to Willa or Libby. I get that it's controversial, but I like it.

I like it. I also like Waverley/Waverly and Willow. W names are cool.