Willoughby

I really like it. It works on boys and girls and I think I prefer it over Willow.

I only like it pronounced Will-o-bee, not Will-ǝ-bee. But I still really like it, and there are plenty of good nickname choices.

Honestly, I really like it, and there are some good nickname choices.

Uhh... Don't like it. I prefer the name Wish, even though it is not a variant.

It's my son's name. He's an adult now and I still love it. He's called Will about half the time.

I suppose that I shall be the novelty here and preach of my liking for the name "Willoughby"! Which is increasingly unusual, as there is perhaps one other surname-turned-forename that I approve of.

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Oddly enough, I find it very classic and strong... but unusable in contemporary time, unless you dub your dog as such.

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As for "Willowby"... my fondness does not stretch that far. Personally, the incorrect spelling ("Willowby") looks mammothly higher in a pretentious percentage. It is an order in which new parents of this age would succumb to in the name of being 'original,' 'kre8tiv,' and 'cute.'
Unfortunately, it becomes neither of those things.
So, with that, I disagree with you.

The spelling is quite heavy-looking, and the name would look nicer spelled Willowby. This spelling looks old-fashioned and pretentious. Even spelled Willowby, the name is dated and pretentious. It makes me think of a geeky little boy from 80 years ago.

Cute but sort of flimsy. Would make a good name for the nickname Will if you are adverse to William.

IMHO, taking surnamity a smidgen too far.

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"....and this is my son, Willoughby Jamison, and my daughter, Pennington Lacey..."

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(Ugh, I actually LIKE Pennington Lacey! LOL)