Wilberforce

[Fartbaby]

We have decided to call this baby Wilberforce if it is a boy. We absolutely love it, as do my family and my best friend. I haven't told anyone else as I know for a fact lots of people would be horrified by the name. We will be almost exclusively calling him Wilbur due to the aforementioned probability of loathing for the full name, so my question is: is there any point to putting Wilberforce on the birth certificate?

I know it sounds as if I don't have the courage of my convictions regarding the name Wilberforce and that makes me a little sad, too, as I absolutely love it. Would you introduce your baby as Wilberforce if you were me or would you pretend he is simply Wilbur?

Oh blimey, I sound like an idiot

Wilbur is just as bad as Wilberforce so i dont think it matters

Its likely he'll call himself Will rather than Wilbur anyway - do you like that?

I think Wilberforce is a bit out there.

but Wilbur is lovely.

Oh gosh, don't want to be horrible. However, please just go for Wilbur, if you must. Wilberforce sounds like a Transformer, or similar 80s cartoon character.

Excellent associations, as William Wilberforce was a prime mover in getting the slave trade abolished. I'd stick with the full length name for that reason. For me, Wilbur is an American name which may have featured in a cartoon or a comedy film when I was young. Will would be my preferred short form for Wilberforce.

after William Wilberforce? If so I like it!

Would you introduce your baby as Wilberforce if you were me or would you pretend he is simply Wilbur?

I'd pretend he was William faced with that little scenario

Teehee

It's the kind of thing you'd call your butler, if you had one (a few butler names posted on here lately). Or a pot-bellied pig

William Wilberforce - top bloke.

Wilberforce as a first name in 2015 for your average bloke - I'd go with Wilbur at a push, Will preferably. As a pp says, Wilberforce does sound like a Transformer.

If you go through with it, he'll call himself Will, then formalize that change with a visit to the deed pool office or solicitor at, and on the very day of, reaching 18.

Well, to me, Wilberforce is an amazing person and Wilbur is a charming but rather stupid pig.

So I'd go with Wiberforce and call him Will.

But see what he looks like when he comes out.

I think Wilberforce is an excellent name. Go for it! But Wilbur is dreadful. Call him Will instead.

Well, to me, Wilberforce is an amazing person

Yes, but that was his surname not his first name.

But see what he looks like when he comes out.

I love Wilberforce.

Thanks for your replies. Yes, the name is special because of William Wilberforce. I'm not keen on Will but understand that is how it will be shortened.

If we have a girl she is to be named Purdey so we're in for some ribbing all round probably

Thanks again. I think we'll go ahead and Christen a boy Wilberforce.

Not sure about either variation to be honest.
Forever in my mind is the pig from Charlotte's Web (Wilbur)

But also, if you're going to abbreviate Wilberforce, shouldn't the shortened version be spelled as Wilber and not Wilbur?

It doesn't matter if you're in for ribbing. It matters that your child will be, because of a decision you've made.

Yes, I did wonder about Wilber as a spelling but I don't think it's an 'accepted' or known version of Wilberforce. I've loved Wilbur since reading books by the novelist Wilbur Smith.

Fair enough

I don't welcome ribbing for my child, I really don't, but unless we choose something entirely conventional and safe I honestly think most every name is going to be 'picked on' or remarked upon unkindly by some.

It's ridiculous, very rare modern transferred use of surname. You could use it as a middle if you really wanted to honour the abolitionist if William is not obviously connected or associated with the man enough for you. I'm not convinced.

Purdey looks like a misspelling, another surname, or would guess it was short for Perdita...

Wilbur is the pig in Charlotte's Web. But I'd rather introduce him as that than Wilberforce I guess. I'd also rather see it spelt Wilber.
Purdey is an icky brand of beverage as well as various character names. It also reminds me of perdido (lost).
Wilber's cute. But yeah why not Wilberforce on the birth certificate. Too many cute names around, he'll maybe thank you for a not cutesy full name as a young adult maybe
Wilber for a girl is quite cute though too. There, sorted.

Yes, Perdita will be on the birth certificate (much to my husband's chagrin!)

No, I don't think every name is going to be picked on at some point. Wilberforce obviously will be, because you are saddling him with a ridiculous name.

Unless your name is Princessa Sparkly WooWooPants and not, you know, Jane of something, then you're being really unfair.

Purdey is ace though.

Really? Call him Wilbur if you must but Wilburforce is awful. It sounds like the name of a poundland superhero toy.

Is Wilberforce not used as a first name, then?