Why does everyone hate the names...

[SadieAB9]

Wilfred and Wilbur?

I think they're both so cute, quite soft sounding, in my head would suit a little boy and a gentleman! But I only seem to hear negative things when I mention them. Wilfred has lovely nicknames (wilf, Freddie) and Wilbur may be the pig from Charlotte's Web but is that really so bad?

Feeling needy as DH has vetoed all my other name suggestions and these are the only 2 not to have been shot down yet (mainly because I haven't mentioned them yet as everyone seems to hate them haha!) Want to get some opinions before bringing them up x

I don’t hate them, everyone has different styles

I like Wilfred but not so keen on Wilbur, I don’t like either the sound or look of the name. And it’s also the name of Winnie’s cat in Winnie the Witch, which I really don’t like!

I love Wilfred, it was on our list for ds1 and that was 8 years ago!

Love Wilfred, it was my Granddad’s middle name. We had a gerbil (for 2 days) called Wilf once.

They are of a different time, and despite the resurgence of traditional names, just don't appeal.

I'd name my dogs Wilf and Wilbur though.

I know a little baby Wilbur :) not my taste at all but obviously he’s lovely and the name really suits the family. As to why it’s not my taste.... hmm they both just sound a bit frumpy to me! Both my boys have quite soft names so it’s not that for me.

I quite like them but I can imagine Wilfred might sound a bit weak to other people. Like Wilted. I can only say Wilbur in an American accent.

I'm glad there's some positive response for Wilfred! I think it's lovely! Wilbur seems very unpopular which I find a bit odd because it seems in the general style which is popular at the moment (like Oscar, Reuben, Theodore, etc - soft sounding and old fashioned) but I'd not like to give my son a name that everyone would be a bit about - I'm not that sure of myself! So at least Wilfred seems to be getting some positive responses 😊

Wilbur isn't too bad. To me Wilfred sounds a bit close to wilted, sounds a bit weak.

Haha SwedishEdith I just sat there repeating 'wilbur' to myself in an American accent and now I think you may have done irreparable damage... I'm not sure I'll be able to un-hear it

Maybe as the nickname could be Willy? Which is never going to stop being a word for a penis.

FWIW I like Wilfred. Just thinking of some other classic boy/men's names:

Arthur
Albert
Algernon
Bartholomew
Frederick
Charles
Jonathan
Simon
Ralph

I'd not thought of Wilfred/wilted! I think of a nice well dressed young boy dressed in early 20th century clothes ,

They are very unattractive and rather comedic names imho. Wilfred is a little better but I'm still not a fan. I detest the name Fred which probably doesn't help.

Ohh sad to hear you think they're comedic. And now you mention it, I don't like Fred either - quite specifically like Wilf and Freddie but of course can't dictate what others call him. ☹️

They are of a different time, and despite the resurgence of traditional names, just don't appeal

Agree with this.

There's nothing technically wrong with them and I think they are being used more (especially Wilfred). But I'm not keen as they just sound so 'old man' to me.

A Wilf is the same as a Wally where I live (Essex)

Wilbur is a pig - just can’t get past it.

I really like Wilfred, not so much Wilbur, but don't hate it.

I like them but I can't not think oh Guinea pigs when I hear them

What's a Wally? A Willy?

Agree that Wilbur comes from 'wild boar' so associated with a pig!

I don't like Wilfred either - there's a danger it'll get shortened to Fred (which I don't like) although Will is ok. I think Wilfred is quite feminine too.

Wilbur - pig.

Wilfred - Elderly farmer with a red face and a drinking problem.

Wilf is surprisingly common. I can think of three 5yo Wilfs in my acquaintance.

I really like Wilfred/Wilf

I like Wilfred with wolf or will as NN not keen on Fred though...
Wilbur is a pig unfortunately!
Fraser has that same soft sound ..