Gwilym

I really like the name Gwilym. At this point I like most languages' forms of William really (though most of them had to grow on me over time) but I think Gwilym is among my favourites and I liked it instantly when I first heard it. It feels very versatile like lots of other names in this name family are, in the sense that it's very strong and masculine, but at the same time all the sounds in it are soft so it's also quite gentle and cute. I can imagine a Gwilym of any age. I've heard that for non-Welsh-speaking English speakers it sounds kind of childish even. But I can imagine a Gwilym of any age and I also think that it's very flexible in that it would suit people of different personalities - I can imagine a very serious, intellectual and geeky Gwilym, a mischievous, humourous, fun-loving and cool Gwilym, or a grumpy hermit Gwilym who hardly talks to people and prefers to spend his time in nature or around animals, almost anything goes I guess. But while being so flexible it's still not plain. I think the nickname Gwil is very cool as well, though I've heard from some non-Welsh-speakers that to them it sounds like someone can't say "grill" correctly, which I guess makes sense, so I'm not sure how well it would work outside of Wales, perhaps it would be safer as a middle, a cool, distinctive way of honouring Welsh heritage, or a rare alternative as a honour name for a William.