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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Is Will going to be over-used this year because of the royal wedding?

20 replies

mrswantstobeamum · 07/03/2011 16:13

We're expecting a little boy in June, and love the name William, Will for short. It's a family name on my side, and we've gotten quite used to the idea as we've been calling him 'Will' since we found out he was a boy about five weeks ago.

I'm a bit concerned, though, that Will might be more popular than usual this year because of the royal wedding. I know it's a fairly common name anyways, as everyone knows a couple of Wills, but I wouldn't want him to be one of four or five Wills every year in his class at school!

Do you think Will is likely to be over-used this year?

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bex2011 · 07/03/2011 16:19

I have a boy due in April and also love the name William. I'm not going to use it, not just because of the popularity ( I think it will soar in USA, but not so much here), but because I don't want people thinking Ive named him because of the royal wedding IYSWIM.

saffy85 · 07/03/2011 18:40

William is on my shortlist as it's a family name on both sides. I have no idea if it will be very popular over the next year. I personally couldn't give a rats arse about the royal family, or whether anyone thinks we named our baby after the future king.

SpiderWilliam · 07/03/2011 18:49

Haha- DS2 was born in November. We hadn't been able to pick a name but during the first night it came to me that William seemed to suit him (I had rejected it only 2 days before). So that's what we chose only for Prince William to get engaged within the week .

Seriously though, I am not too bothered about the impact of theRoyal Wedding. It's the 8th most popular name anyway, so unlike DS1s name which is outside the top 100 there are plenty of them around that you are always running into. If you want something more individual don't chose William!

flopsy1974 · 07/03/2011 19:54

I have a William. A lovley timeless name. He's the only one in his class at school so it's not that popular near here.
If you like it go for it.

Valinor · 07/03/2011 20:05

Did Charles or Diana soar after the last 'royal wedding'? I don't think they did did they?.

William is already very popular so I'm not sure how much higher it could 'soar' anyway.

If popularity bothers you then don't use William. How about Wilfred nn Will as an alternative?

ThisFeelsWeird · 07/03/2011 20:22

I used to think it was a lovely name but I'm afraid where we are (London) there are Williams all over the place and that has taken away some of the appeal for me. Williams and Isabellas, we're heaving with them! It's definitely the number 1 name, closely followed by Thomas.

poppydaisy · 07/03/2011 21:08

I know quite a few little Williams. I actually don't like it very much especially its nicknames - Will (will, will you...), Willy or Billy so don't understand its popularity. Maybe it is due to Prince Wiliam ?

rachel1970 · 07/03/2011 21:10

We're in Surrey and my dd has two Williams in her class - so it seems very popular already.

Not that keen personally and would worry about the Willy teasing.

Underachieving · 07/03/2011 22:39

Yes, I think there will be millions of Williams this year, not just because of the Royal wedding though but because it was on the up anyway. Or at least I perceive it so, I haven't bothered to look at the stats- lazy me.

muminthemiddle · 07/03/2011 23:10

I think it is already popular. Timeless and classic though X

PepsiPopcorn · 07/03/2011 23:23

Yes, I think it will become rather more popular. However I doubt very much there would be 5 in a class. In a class of 30, with 15 boys and 15 girls, that would mean a third of boys would be called William!

5DollarShake · 08/03/2011 03:54

I know a little William (known as Will) born about a month ago.

I think it's a very popular name anyway.

mayanna123 · 08/03/2011 11:31

I think people are possibly swayed by Prince William, as I've met quite a few little Williams recently.

Personally I don't mind William but I really dislike most nicknames, especially Will - it is a verb (Will, will you...) and a noun (last will) to my ears. Willy and Billy are not much nicer imo.

LadyCLC · 08/03/2011 11:55

We too have William (Will) on our short list, it's a classic british name and has been very popular for year's and year's, I am not bothered about the royal wedding - did it rise in populatrity the year Prince William was born?

It is classy and suited to both child and adult - if you like it go with it. I think people get too caught up in analysing names, just go with the name you like and stuff everything/everyone else!

violetwellies · 08/03/2011 14:45

Very popular (common :) ) but if the bump is a boy - he'll be William after FIL, my uncle a good friend and a pony I used to own, there is no choice, however if the bump is a girl we are stuck as cant think of anything :)

babytrekkie · 08/03/2011 15:34

William is a lovely name. My husbands father is called William. We're expecting our first baby in June and she will be called Elizabeth! Our second if he's a boy will be called William. Don't worry about the fact its the Royal wedding, William is a fantastic name!

Deaddei · 08/03/2011 15:36

A fine name.

Hedwig3 · 08/03/2011 21:34

It will also put some people off using it so it could work the other way!

stegasaurus · 09/03/2011 22:20

William and Kate were both on my shortlist and my baby is due just a couple of days after the wedding. I had to take them off the list as people would think I named DC after either of the royal couple. I guess they will be in reserve in case we have another child in a few years.

Original poster

mrswantstobeamum · 10/03/2011 09:20

Thank you for the responses! Definitely food for thought

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