William Bowe

[bilbowe]

Pregnant with my second child- I loved William for my first but as last name is Bowe, was put off by ‘Bilbo’- am I overthinking it or is it a real thing to be bothered by?! Had mixed reactions IRL, some saying it would be absolutely fine.

If it’s really awful, any other suggestions? I also like Louis but don’t know if L.Bowe would be setting him up as well!

Bill Bowe? Oh dear no. That said I know two Williams who are only ever called William. Never Will or Bill.

As for L Bowe, well your name isn’t all that often written like that so I don’t think that would be too much of a problem.

Willy Bow would be worse…!

Not every William is called Bill though. I think L.Bowe is worse!

William known as Liam. L Bowe.

Richard - Dickie Bowe.

As for L Bowe, well your name isn’t all that often written like that so I don’t think that would be too much of a problem.
My name is H. Yorway on most of my mail, on credit cards etc.

Don’t, I’ve heard them all!! Wayne, Harry, Jim.. it’s the most innocuous but actually annoying surname!!

David. (You might need to think about it)

No to:
Joseph (Joe)
O- names
-o names
-el names
L names

A colleague's surname is Potter. Her bump was 'We're not calling him Harry'

Sorry but I wouldn't go for L. Bowe or even William Bowe. It is a deceptively tricky surname OP.

Thomas
Alexander
George
Marcus
Henry

It does sound a bit -Beau, sorry @bilbowe .
Even names like Tom, Sam, Jim, Tim, and Al won't be great.

I'd suggest something that has a diminutive that works too. Joshua/Josh, Peter/Pete and Michael/Mike are ok.

If it helps, it took me a good while to work out why L Bowe wasn’t ideal. I spent 30 seconds thinking le bowe was a phrase or insult I wasn’t aware of. I must be tired.

I know a lot of Williams and only one Bill. It’s not really used for young people. William is a solid name too.

No one else sees your cards though, and not make people see your post other than people in your house.

I kept reading this to see what I was missing, took me a while. Not a lord of the rings fan though...doubt they'll be many lord of the rings fans in your baby's class (perhaps I'm wrong) and he may be a Will than a Bill. If he did want to be a Bill, Bilbo isn't the worst nickname lol, he can be William went he wants to be formal.

I like William too, he'd probably be ok but I can understand your cautiousness.

Something safer would be:
Thomas
Adam
Alexander
Henry
James
Martin
Marcus

Unless there's something I've missed with those- it is a deceptively tricky one!

L.Bowe made me laugh 🤣

William Bowe sounds classic. I love it.

Riddick Bowe was a famous and formidable heavyweight boxer FWIW.

I know a Harry Bowe.

I really think William is completely fine.

Anything L is the worst option.

I think William is fine. Very few Williams go by Bill these days.

If you like William - what about Wilfred?
I'd go with William . William Bowe sounds 'strong' to me

There are far worse things n the world that being called Bilbo- If he ever was.

Dont call him Rain or Harry!

you’re joking about knowing a Harry Bow?

Wayne made me actually laugh.

You are right that it is a very tricky surname - easiest thing would be to change the surname and keep William.

But Willbo, Willybo, Billbo are all bad.

As for L. Bowe at school it is very common to have it written like that

it would be Wilbo nor Bilbo. It’s fine.

L Bow (elbow) is definitely not fine.

Never read or watched LOTR but thought “bilbo” within a nanosecond of reading the title. Bilbo better than elbow for sure. I know a Harry Bowes who is called by his full name by absolutely everyone - pronounced as one word “Haribos” - pals yell it down the street “Haribos! Haribos! HAAAARRRIIIIBOOOOOSSSS!”

While he’s not hugely likely to have his name organically shortened to Bill, the way a William born in the 1930s would, he is being set up for the nickname.

William is a great name, there is no reason why he should ever be called Bill, and Billy Bowe sounds cute to me.

Bilbo would be my first thought im afraid. But id get over it. Love William!