Wilf

[dadtobe22]

Hi,

My wife and I are expecting a boy in the new year. We would like a traditional name for him and Wilf is the front runner at the moment (Wilfred on his birth certificate).

It seems to be a real marmite name. Some people seem to violently dislike it which is fine. It’s a free country!

We figure he could also be Fred if he doesn’t take to Wilf for whatever reason. He’s got options.

What do you think of Wilf?

I love the name but sadly I will always associate with my cat of the same name ☹️

I think it's really cute

I like it. Wilfred is a solid name.

Wow that is certainly marmite…!

It’s a no from me I’m afraid - kind of wet, not my taste.

The results are in. Truly marmite but more people like it than dislike it.

Thanks to the 200 odd people that voted.

It’s awful. It’s a very wet and rather comedic name.

Love it. Will for short.

What are your kids called? Just wanted to gauge whether you should be taken seriously as an arbiter of good taste? 😀

I know a couple of Wilfs, really like the name. However the acronym association was news to at least one of the parents so as long as you're prepared for that!

If you like names that are making a comeback we also know a Bertie, Angus, Rupert, Ernest (Ernie), Stanley and Sidney!

Wilbur? Gilbert? Lawrence shortened to Laurie?

I have a Wilfred (call him Wilf day to day but now he's growing up he prefers Wilfred). Ironically I picked it because I have a very common name for my era and hated that there was always at least one other of 'me' at school, uni, work, etc... I was ahead of the trend (and Boris - was outraged by that) so school and uni should be okay for him re duplication. Reckon there will be a few around in his working life but it's still low on the names list and seems very area dependent. Clearly, we love it. I love the later Victorian/Edwardian vibe name trend (that has been going for a good fifteen years now) but a lot of them were getting overused even back then - hence Wilfred. I also like that it gives him a lot of alternative name options for himself as he grows into adulthood.

Many of can't vote on the old app

I dislike Wilfred

It's a great name with good shortening possibilities (Wilf and Fred).

Thank heavens I’m not the only one who thought that.

🙈indeed

Lovely name. Go for it.

A lot of people have been saying that WILF reminds them of MILF.

A few posters have said they have Wilf’s of their own. Has this acronym ever been a source of bullying/teasing? I can’t see it myself.

There are so many daft and unusual names these days (I’m thinking Bear, Fox, Wolf, Apple amongst others) that Wilf is hardly that comedic.

I went to school with a Richard who went by Dick and he was one of the most popular kids there. No one called him a penis! Bullying potential surely depends more on a kid’s personality than their name.

Love it. Do it!

You sound pretty set on the name so I think there’s your answer!

I really dislike Wilfrid, it sounds really old fashioned and limp. But I really like Wilf and there are lots of alternative options for shortening it like Fred or Will. It's a name with a lot of options.

I like Wilf. Actually I much prefer it to Wilfred, I’d just go with Wilf as registered name.

I do know a few, I think it’s quite popular. Which may be a good or bad thing depending on your preferences!

Love the name Wilf. Does no-one else remember Wilf O'Reilly, GB winter Olympic athlete from the 80s who won medals in the speed skating? Absolute stone cold legend, we used to love watching him on the telly.

Love Wilf

also love Rafe

Sorry I can't get with Wilf op.
It IS very marmite.

Some other suggestions:

Zackary nn Zack
Sidney nn Sid
Fintan nn Finn
Casey
Jesse
Caspian
Levi
Theo

I had an Uncle Wilf.
Its a ‘No’ from me.

I actually prefer Wolf.

Surprised at some of the negative comments on here. Always loved the name and still on the list as potential boys name if we have a 2nd baby.