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

I actually bloody love Willoughby.

Wilberforce has a blubbery sound to it.

Doesn't even look like the same person in both pics.

I think it's the same person.

I like unsual names, I really do. But Wilber/Wilberforce is so ugly. He will be jeolous of his big sister Nancy with her fabulous name. Maybe he'll be called Wilbie by everyone, OP

Apple, Brooklyn, Romeo, all much much better.

I, too, don't understand why you'd want to saddle your son with a name you think he'll get teased over but will just have to deal with.

I hope his middle name will be one he can use if he decides not to go with Wilberforce.

Ooh OP, how about First name Wilbur, Middle name Force?

I quite like Perdita/Purdey, I wouldn't name my child that but I don't find it a offensive or odd. Wilbur and Wilberforce on the other hand, well to me, and it's only my opinion, but they are really ugly names. All the best when the baby comes OP

If the tone has changed it has simply matched the snide and unkind comments posted by some of you. What would you have me do? Scamper away weeping?

Why not just respond like a normal person then, no need to "match" people and "win"? Nobody has been horrible to you, they have maybe pointed out your arrogance and snobbishness, your victim blaming etc, not really nasty is it? Wilberforce is not a usual name, you knew it would be marmitey, that's why you posted, if you can't cope on here without descending into cuntishness you won't survive the school gate with a kid called bloody Wilberforce.

You need to get a grip, I'm getting a huge "I'm just such a special snowflake" vibe from your posts, you sound extremely tedious.

I also find it quite funny that anyone who sneers about people being "frightfully common" would then post pictures like that .

Do you know the poster who wants to use the names Gilbert, Clarence or Clement for her baby? You must mix in the same circles because it's a world away from the one I know.

Round our way 'Queenie' was a substitute name. If you had two Sarahs or two Janes in the family, the younger one was known as Queenie to save confusion. The last 'Queenie' I knew was a Susan, whom I met in the 1970s.

Perdita is a lovely name. Purdita is just not correct. Imagine going through life having people think your mother can't spell.

Wilberforce is a perfectly foul name but will suit a child of OP's rather well, I imagine.

An excellent point Alphonso

It makes me think of Lord Wilberforce, who was a great judge, but is was his SURNAME.

Why would you give your child a name you know full well he's probably going to get teased for? Why? It's ridiculous and you know it.

I really like it. Anyone who has read these books will probably love it too.

I think Wilberforce is a fantastic name, and am vaguely regretful that I didn't think of it first.

I called my son Wilberforce and his dad made me put it as his middle name but he loves it and he is amazing and it suits him. We changed it by sessile to his first name at his request for secondary school. He is ‘Wilbs’ for short , Wilbs, or Wilberforce to his friends. Best name ever.

What’s tease worthy about Wilberforce?

I have seen William get teased with Willy. But Wilberforce isn’t really teasable imo

I can’t imagine at a playgroup someone shouting ‘Wilberforrrce!’ across the room and I doubt he’d ever tell people his full name when he’s an adult. Maybe you could name him Wilbur and if he ever asks, you could explain it’s after William Wilberforce which would make him feel just as proud. Also saves him having a surname as a first name and still gives options for nicknames…

If it’s a girl please go with Queenie. It’s my absolutely most favourite name and I never had a chance to use it.

Love Wilber. I’d just do with that.

The child is now nine years old!

I know, just saw an article on popular names and wondered if we made it yet! It’s not for the feint hearted but we are ultra proud! His brother is Walden. Another epic choice for either gender :)