Woody

[Ploppymoodypants]

If you hear the name Woody, do you think of
A) woodpecker
B) toy story
C) Allen

Or none of them. I love the name. So does DH. We are Fine with Toy Story connection and confident that only the older generation will make the link to woodpecker. But would hate an association with Woody Allen. It hadn’t occurred to me until DM helpfully pointed it out (because she doesn’t like what she calls ‘out there names’ and would name a boy David or James, which are perfectly fine. But not what I like personally).

He would be William on birth certificate but don't want that as every day name because a) there are already 4 in the family and b) I just know it will get shortened by someone to Billy which I really do not like. Thank you

Allen
Toy Story

Allen

I would think of erection or woody Allen and all the child sexual abuse allegations. So both horrible connotations.

Erection too. Silly name.

Yup, erection. Then Allen.

Also unsure about using it as a knickname for William - doesn't really make sense. The only Woody I've ever known in person has the surname Woods.

I like Woodrow, though. That's a cool name!

I know it’s not a shortening of William. But as a have mentioned I don’t like any shortening of William and don’t want to use William everyday as a) there are lots of others in family and b) worried someone someday will use Billy which I hate. Also I just don’t like it enough as as William. But problem is I am not than keen on many boys names unfortunately.

We both really like Woody and don’t mind if other people don’t like it. But obviously didn’t want the Allen connection. I don’t like any of the other full names woody is used as an abbreviation for so was trying to be a bit creative with what would work.

I know I could use woody as a stand alone name, but as people have pointed out he might hate it as an adult so then has an option to be smarter or more professional if he wishes, if he has a full birth certificate name.

Nickname for surname including 'Wood'.

Erection here too. You're giving your child a life time of teasing.

Or the bar man from Cheers!

There were two little Woody's at a playgroup I recently took DD to. I'm really not a fan. It used to be a well used phrase when I was at school for an erection so that's she I associate it with

You can’t use woody at as nn for William - it would be so confusing.

Edward or Woodward with nn woody

Edward William is nice

I know a few so the erection side of things mustn’t have put them off

Means erection to me too

I would class Woody as a name in the same manner as Dick or Fanny... names (or nicknames) in their own right, and would hope that most people would have the courtesy not to say anything to their faces, but would most likely cause an internal giggle or snigger.

Of course, I also think Harrelson, Woodpecker, Allen and Toy Story, but erection comes to mind first!

However! As you said, you don't mind what anyone else thinks about it (and why would you, it's your choice), and names are always gong to be subjective things. I have a hatred of some probably very nice names, solely through their connotation to people I dislike in real life.

So basically William with woody doesn’t work however much you want it too!

First thought was erection, then Allen.

Erection first here too (I’m mid 30s), then Toy Story. The only one I’ve ever known had it as a nickname for his surname Wood.

Yeah 🍆

I'd think you were sex mad having a Willy and a woody

I'd forgotten about the erection thing until my 18 yo was talking about Woodys to his mates and I realised they meant erections

I know of two children called Woody, both in Reception. It's rather an odd name IMO, I'd assume it was a nickname used by parents with a rather offbeat sense of humour or that it was chosen by an older sibling with a Toy Story obsession.

I think of my friend's dog called that. There is a Woody in son's class though. That's his nickname. He is called Hereward.

It's wood for an erection not woody.

I think it's fine OP.

Erection and Allen. And it’s not a nickname for William.

It makes about as much sense as calling your child Horatio but introducing them as Oliver.

I know an American who is called Woody, whose first name is Wilson, if that’s any help to you? (As in Woodrow Wilson)

GreatDuckCookery - a woody was definitely an erection when I was a kid/teen. And it seems it’s the same for many PPs.

I like Woodrow nn Woody, William nn Woody just doesn’t work.

Yes greatduck wood or woody. You are not the gatekeeper of all slang, you can actually see from this thread how prevalent woody is for erection.

GreatDuck Having 'wood' is called 'a woody'.

Cross-posts galore!