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Baby names

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

Willow for a boy?

86 replies

Almondinha · 26/12/2016 11:20

Hi! We just found out recently that we are having a little boy - our first baby. So if course we have been busy talking about names.
The other day while we were out on a walk, I came up with the name Willow which we both love and were really excited about.
I don't know anyone named Willow and to me it sounded like a perfect boys name and seemed perfectly suitable. However when we got home and looked up the name online, we found out that it is a girls name! We were quite disappointed.
I know that nowadays children can be called anything. However I don't want to give my child a higher likelihood of being bullied etc just because of his name.
Should we think about something else or does Willow work fine for a boy too?
Thank you for your opinions.

OP posts:
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Gollygeewhizztits · 26/12/2016 11:22

I'm not keen on the name but I wouldn't think it strange on a boy. I do have a niece called Willow but think it sounds quite unisex.

SillySongsWithLarry · 26/12/2016 11:22

DD is called Willow. It is very much a girls name.

Blue2014 · 26/12/2016 11:25

Oh no, girls name - sorry

ChocoChou · 26/12/2016 11:29

I only know one Willow and she is lovely.
Sorry OP

1horatio · 26/12/2016 11:29

I think it depends on where you live...?

But I really like it. :)

What about Rowan or Salix?

RortyCrankle · 26/12/2016 11:30

Not for a boy - it's a girl's name.

TheMortificadosDragon · 26/12/2016 11:30

The only male Willow I've ever heard of was the eponymous hero of the film. Lovely character but probably not helpful.

Got any other ideas?

Congratulations though! Smile

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 26/12/2016 11:31

Girls name

Oysterbabe · 26/12/2016 11:54

Yep I agree with everyone else, it's a girl's name and it would be cruel to burden a boy with it.

Isadora2007 · 26/12/2016 11:57

Another vote for it's a girl name... sorry!

Also as much as I love it I always think of "pussy willow" which is a little unfortunate.

IWantATardis · 26/12/2016 12:02

I've only heard it used for girls.

IAmNotTheOneWhoKnocks · 26/12/2016 12:08

It's a pretty well known girl's name.

Of course, some people will tell you can use it for a boy too, which is true insofar as you COULD also call your son Hannah or Emily, if you wanted.

calzone · 26/12/2016 12:10

Absolutely no for a boy.

It's ridiculous.

smellyboot · 26/12/2016 12:11

gilrs name

NavyandWhite · 26/12/2016 12:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Solo · 26/12/2016 12:21

I also have a girl Willow. Definitely not for a boy unless he grows up to be a black belt in Judo by the time he's 6 because he'd need to be.

icantgetnosleep5 · 26/12/2016 12:36

Definitely not, sorry, kids are merciless - there's a William in my sons class who is constantly crying due to the other children calling him Willy

I'm nt sure willow wud stand a chance !

MadeForThis · 26/12/2016 12:59

Girls name

kmini · 26/12/2016 13:00

Willoughby? Bit of a rogue in sense and sensibility but great name apart from that.

TheMortificadosDragon · 26/12/2016 13:01

It's not ridiculous - it's a purely arbitrary convention which genderises some names but not others - eg another tree, Rowan, is 'allowed' to be used by either. But unfortunately, while such conventions exist, you probably don't really want your DS to be 'the boy named Sue'.

Solo · 26/12/2016 13:22

Rowan is fairly non gendered though whereas Willow is imho a pretty pretty name ifswim?

MrsUnderwood · 26/12/2016 13:26

The film Willow's titular character is male. I say go for it, it's a nice sounding name and he can be Will for short.

SorenaJ · 26/12/2016 15:13

It's not ridiculous. There is nothing inherently gendered about names. Willow is perfectly fine for a boy. It's a lovely name.

Sophronia · 26/12/2016 17:28

I think it's fine for a boy, it's a nature name so not sure why it could only be female.

GinIsIn · 26/12/2016 17:29

Girls name!

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