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Baby names

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

Original poster

James or William

52 replies

Notlong · 17/05/2022 11:53

Exactly that, James or William, both go with our surname.

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MarshaBradyo · 17/05/2022 21:29

James but as that rather than nickname

TheLadyDIdGood · 17/05/2022 21:32

James as there are too many Williams but not many young James around.

Ducksurprise · 17/05/2022 21:35

James because whilst I like William, I dislike Willy and when you write a sentence 'Will Will be attending Sam's birthday party.' And that's before Will.I.Am

pinklavenders · 17/05/2022 21:42

James

Will is a very confusing shortening - Will Will come? Will's will.. and Willy isn't great either.

frostytimes · 17/05/2022 21:59

William

Firebird83 · 18/05/2022 00:36

James, but both are great.

toomuchlaundry · 18/05/2022 00:38

James

Dinoteeth · 18/05/2022 00:39

Both great names, I'd wait until baby is born and see which grows on you.

ThatsRoughBuddy · 18/05/2022 01:42

James

prepareforlanding · 18/05/2022 01:46

Both are a bit meh to me. Like choosing between grey and beige.

Why not have both?

Soulstirring · 18/05/2022 02:01

james

Theoldwoman · 18/05/2022 02:14

William, or Will.

Butterbeer4All · 18/05/2022 02:42

James

MrsDrSpencerReid · 18/05/2022 03:02

Both great names!

I have a William, weirdly he’s never come across another William at school or sport until this year! (he’s 12)

He mainly goes by William or Will and my dad calls him Billy Boy 😊No one has ever called him Willy.

The ‘Will Will be coming..’ nonsense has never been an issue either lol

I love James too, it’s DH’s middle name and would’ve been a top contender if we’d had another boy.

user1492757084 · 18/05/2022 11:09

William is my pick because I prefer the nick names of Will, Wills, and Bill over Jamie.
James is also a great choice and I love Jim.

Maladicta · 18/05/2022 11:27

James
My James never has his name shortened by mates, all his friends who were originally William are Will. It's also a family name for us.

Indoctro · 18/05/2022 12:11

William is nicer

PleaseYourselfandEatTheCrusts · 20/05/2022 10:14

James 100%

itssquidstella · 20/05/2022 10:50

My husband is called William and my brother's name is James so I think both are equally lovely!

Crunchymum · 20/05/2022 18:59

Love them both. One is DS's name and the other would have been used if we'd had a second DS.

"Will Will come" isn't an issue as surely people tend to say "is Will coming"

IStandWithMaya · 20/05/2022 19:42

James

pinklavenders · 20/05/2022 20:31

"Will Will come" isn't an issue as surely people tend to say "is Will coming"

But the point is that 'will' is such a common verb...!

Twizbe · 20/05/2022 20:35

I have a James. I love both names though.

Wait now and see what he looks like and decide then.

User3568975431146 · 20/05/2022 20:35

James without question.

AssignedSlytherinAtBirth · 20/05/2022 20:41

William. Both are family names for me but William has more positive associations, like Just William, and the lovely flower, Sweet William.