I am just six weeks from my [name]Easter[/name] due date and am starting to panic about my daughter’s name.
About a month ago I came across [name]Willa[/name] and knew instantly that was her name (mn [name]Lorraine[/name]) but everyone, including my husband, hates it. I can’t understand the strong negative reactions. A complete stranger made a face and said “yeah… I would change that” my husband thinks it sounds like a slave name and my dad won’t stop saying “watchu talkin’ bout, [name]Willa[/name]?” I could care less about racial connotations, but have no idea why people think [name]Willa[/name] is inappropriate for a white baby.
What gives? My husband has told me her name is entirely up to me, but can I pick a name he hates? Is it better for one of us to love her name or compromise on a name that we both just are ok with?
Backup names I could live with:
[name]Margot[/name]
[name]Anna[/name]
[name]Elise[/name]
[name]Sylvie[/name]
[name]Norah[/name]
[name]Antonia[/name]
[name]Brynn[/name] (husband loves, but our last name is one syllable and starts with a B, and our boy name is [name]Bruce[/name])
I’ve also been looking for a name that would reflect her [name]Easter[/name] birthday if anyone has a suggestion
[name]Love[/name] [name]Willa[/name], I would use it if it wasn’t too similar to my DD’s name. I don’t get the racial connotations, I see it as a very gentle name, similar to [name]Willow[/name].
I am due in [name]July[/name] and we will be naming our daughter [name]Willow[/name]. I think [name]Willa[/name] is beautiful!
Oh, and your dad sounds like mine… he’s already nicknamed her [name]Willie[/name]… gotta break him of that before her arrival.
I think [name]Willa[/name] is a lovely name! There’s nothing wrong with it at all. I don’t think I’d pick a name that my spouse don’t like, however. I love most of you backup names too! Especially [name]Elise[/name] and [name]Sylvia[/name]. Good luck:)
I like [name]Willa[/name] a lot and I could see it on a child of any racial background. It’s really cute and spunky! I’d go with a compromise name if hubby absolutely hates it though. But maybe you could work on getting it to grow on him before baby gets here. Good luck! For [name]Easter[/name] names, have you tried nameberry’s [name]Easter[/name] names list and blog?
I think [name]Willa[/name] is a beautiful name. But I wouldn’t choose it if your husband hates it. Yes, he did give you free reign, but he’s just as much her parent as you are and it seems unfair for him to hate his own child’s name.
At the same time, though, someone will always hate the name you pick, no matter what it is. You can’t let what other people think influence you too much. [name]Willa[/name] isn’t everyone’s taste, but it’s perfectly suitable for any type of person, ages well, isn’t difficult to pronounce or spell, and isn’t totally outlandish or ridiculous. [name]Remember[/name] that YOU loving the name is really the only thing the only thing you can control. Sorry for the conflicting advice, but those are my thoughts on the subject.
Some [name]Easter[/name]-related names if you’re still looking:
[name]Anastasia[/name], [name]Renata[/name]-“resurrection/reborn”
[name]Esther[/name] (this is more of a pun)
[name]Pascal[/name]- traditionally used for boys born on [name]Easter[/name]. I couldn’t find a feminine form, but maybe you can. If not, perhaps a middle.
[name]Parasha[/name]- born on good friday
[name]Palma[/name]
[name]Willa[/name] is soft and sweet name with a vintage charm. It look awhile for me to warm to the name but I think it’s a great choice! I’ve never thought about race in regards to this name. I always think about the literary connection with the Pulitzer Prize winning author [name]Willa[/name] Cather (her real name was Wilella). Your father is referring to the TV show “Different Strokes” and the correct expression is “Watchu talkin’ bout, [name]Willis[/name]?” Is it a coincidence that you also have [name]Antonia[/name] on your shortlist? (“My [name]Antonia[/name]” was a Cather novel). I like [name]Margot[/name], [name]Anna[/name] and [name]Norah[/name] with [name]Bruce[/name]. I would avoid another “B” name like [name]Brynn[/name]. [name]Bruce[/name] and [name]Brynn[/name] with a “B” one-syllable surname would be too matchy.
[name]Willa[/name] is pretty! Actress [name]Keri[/name] [name]Russell[/name] just had a baby she named [name]Willa[/name] [name]Lou[/name]. I think it’s charming, cute, and ages very well!
[name]Love[/name] [name]Willa[/name]! It sounds nature-y and perfect for [name]Easter[/name]. I get the comments but I wouldn’t expect them. Other nature-y names for [name]Easter[/name] are:
[name]Primrose[/name] (and other rose versions)
[name]Evangelina[/name] (good news)
[name]Nova[/name] (new)
[name]Juliet[/name] (young)
I love [name]Willa[/name]! I didn’t used to see the appeal, although I’m not sure why anymore, haha. I think I related it to [name]Willa[/name] Cather a lot, and it had too much of a pioneer, more-grit-than-gorgeous feel to me. But now I love it–I think it’s sweet and happy and pretty and I would love to meet a little [name]Willa[/name]! It just narrowly missed the cut for my top 10 the last time around.
I think [name]Willa[/name] is soft and sweet. Very feminine. I really like it. I also like [name]Elise[/name] from your list, but I’m a little biased, since it’s my own middle name. I think you should ignore what people say and name your daughter what you love! She will become her name, and everyone will love it on her.
I love [name]Willa[/name]. I think it sounds more Western and can’t understand the racial thing either. [name]Willa[/name] [name]Lorraine[/name] is lovely!
However, if your husband hates it, you might try to talk him into it, but if he insists on hating it, I would choose [name]Margot[/name] off your list. [name]Margot[/name] [name]Lorraine[/name] is also lovely.
[name]Willa[/name] is a loevly name but i don’t think i could use a name my husband was that negative about. You don’t have to decide now though, you can have your shortlist and when baby arrives if he still hates it then compromise, you never know he might take one look at her and say ‘you’re right her name is [name]Willa[/name]’.
I have put your list in my order of preference. Good luck.
I personally love [name]Willa[/name] but I can see it getting looks…I can see MOST of the names on these forums getting looks…people are for some reason gravitating towards grandmother sounding names or obnoxiously feminine. I don’t think [name]Willa[/name] is either of those. You could always go with [name]Willow[/name]. But I love [name]Margot[/name] as well.
[name]Willa[/name]'s not that bad! [name]Willa[/name] [name]Lorraine[/name] is a beautiful name. I’m with you - I don’t get the negative backlash at all. Personally, I say ignore the haters and go for it.
If you [name]DO[/name] decide to change it, I think that from your backup list, [name]Antonia[/name] or [name]Margot[/name] would be awesome. Interesting names with a twist. [name]Brynn[/name] is too incomplete and too matchy with [name]Bruce[/name].
I personally do not like the sound of [name]Willa[/name], it just sounds incomplete to me (compared to [name]Willow[/name] or something). but I don’t think it’s horrific or anything. I do love [name]Sylvie[/name] and [name]Norah[/name] from the rest of your list though.
But now I love it–I think it’s sweet and happy and pretty and I would love to meet a little [name]Willa[/name]! It just narrowly missed the cut for my top 10 the last time around.