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Baby names

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

Original poster

Positive comments on the name Wilf please!!

83 replies

user1467701718 · 22/05/2022 22:04

My husband and I have pretty much decided our baby boy will be Wilf. However, I made the mistake of reading some threads with opinions on the name and have read a lot of negative reactions to the name which has knocked our confidence with it! Can I ask for anybody with positive associations with the name to share them. I don’t need to hear the negative thoughts again! Thank you 😊

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RaininSummer · 22/05/2022 22:28

I like it. I would go for the full Wilfred though then shorten.

Whydothat · 22/05/2022 22:29

I love it. I know an older and a toddler Wilf and it works well across all ages.

AvocadoAndToast · 22/05/2022 22:32

It reminds me of a popular MNer’s lovely son from back in the day when the site was smaller and posters were more ‘known’ 😊.

frostytimes · 22/05/2022 22:32

I love it and know a (very attractive) adult named Wilf, who was also a popular and attractive teenager and I'm assuming cute toddler. I've never heard of negativity and have no bad a associations, it's just a normal name 🤷‍♀️

jacquettalux · 22/05/2022 22:33

I really like it. No idea why it's getting so many negative comments.

It's simple, easy to spell, classic hut not overused. To me, its a name that has quiet strength. I prefer it as a standalone name rather than short for Wilfred. Wilfred has a fancier, try hard feel, in my opinion!

wwyd2021medicine · 22/05/2022 22:36

I know a young Wilf. The name never struck me as odd at all tbh. He's a lovely boy and makes me laugh

sheepandcaravan · 22/05/2022 22:37

@AvocadoAndToast yes, same💕

toastofthetown · 22/05/2022 22:38

Wilfred (of which I imagine most go by Wilf) is an inoffensive, reasonably popular name. But I echo the sentiments of those upthread, you need to like the name. No name is universally liked and if you can’t cope with reading honest reactions of a name when you looked for them, maybe the name isn’t for you.

NohoHank · 22/05/2022 22:40

Livercool · 22/05/2022 22:06

Does it not stand for Woman I'd like to F*?
I don't think you can use that.

I've never heard Wilf used in that context.

It's a lovely vintage name OP. I know one little wilf and he really suits it.

Katyaadlerscoat · 22/05/2022 22:43

Aw, it's lovely. Makes me wonder how MN's very own Wilf is doing.

pinklavenders · 22/05/2022 22:59

It’s a bit odd asking for people to tell you your choice is a good one. It’s your child. He’s hardly going to come back onto MN as a teenager/grown man and berate us for giving him that name, is he 🤔That’s going to be all on you.

I agree. Why are asking us for 'positive' opinions? Personally I dislike Wilf and Wilfred but thankfully we all have different tastes! Choose a name YOU love,

stepuporshutup · 22/05/2022 23:06

Sorry but I don't understand if you only want positive posts then why bother posting

girljulian · 22/05/2022 23:06

I like "Wilfred"; I think it's a gentle, pleasant name with a nice sound. But I would give the whole name -- then he can be Wilf, or Wil if he wants, or Wilf with family and friends/Wilfred in a professional context, etc.

MangoMaddie · 22/05/2022 23:09

I like it but I would assume you were a Boris fan.

Mol1628 · 22/05/2022 23:12

I love the name Wilf. I would use Wilfred on the bc.

I know Boris Johnson used it but I think it’s common enough for this generation of babies that it wouldn’t be associated with that.

SandcastleQueen · 22/05/2022 23:22

Love the name Wilf, makes me think of speed skater Wilf O'Reilly!

toastedcat · 23/05/2022 00:09

Can't believe how rude the first few people were.

Wilf is cute!

DramaAlpaca · 23/05/2022 00:12

I've wracked my brains and I can't think of anything positive to say about it. So I'll keep quiet.

notangelinajolie · 23/05/2022 00:21

I love Wilf and I think it is a lovely name. Wilfred on BC though.

JessesMum777888 · 23/05/2022 00:24

I personally don’t like it.
you might not like my sons name.
its all about what YOU like x

SomersetONeil · 23/05/2022 00:30

OP - there isn’t one single name that it universally liked.

Not one.

Even really popular names are disliked by lots of people.

Why are you asking us for positive comments? What difference do those comments make, when the negative ones are also out there?

Either have the courage of your convictions and give your child the name you have chosen - and make your peace with the fact that some people don’t like it.

Or, if you’re put off by the negative comments, go with something else.

Just like every single other person on the planet Earth, who’s named a child, has done since time immemorial.

smileygirl1995 · 23/05/2022 00:42

My nickname is wilf as I used to walk like my uncle Wilfred, if you named him Wilfred and shortened it to wilf when he's older if he doesn't like wilf he can change it to will or Fred, I personally don't mind it as it's a family thing (I'm a women though) so when giving my old email address or out in public etc it does sometimes catch people off guard and I have been known to hear the odd comment from people who heard it wrong 😆
I think it adds to the humour sometimes and give us all something to laugh about in our family.
Go for it!!!

SugarNspices · 23/05/2022 00:49

The only positive is the wilf from the kids reading books sorry I can't think of a better one because it's really not a great name

Bunty55 · 23/05/2022 00:53

I love it !

AuntTwacky · 23/05/2022 00:58

Awful