Might be infuensed by my recent crush to [name_m]Bill[/name_m] Skarsgård, but I find the name [name_m]Bill[/name_m] to be extremely handsome.Though I really dont like [name_m]William[/name_m] as a full name (i have a distant relative that used [name_m]William[/name_m] for his son), I really prefer [name_m]Bill[/name_m] on its own.
What do you think of [name_m]Bill[/name_m]? Can it work as a stand alone?
[name_f]TIA[/name_f] 
I think it can stand alone, my husband’s name is [name_u]Billy[/name_u] (goes by [name_m]Bill[/name_m]). One thing to PLEASE PLEASE consider is that no one will believe him that is his legal name. Myself and my husband have been talked to like we are completely idiotic and do understand anything when we give his legal name as [name_u]Billy[/name_u]. We are asked 3-5 times every time we have to give his legal name. [name_m]Even[/name_m] AFTER stating “His legal name is [name_u]Billy[/name_u], it’s on his birth certificate, social security card and license.” I have STILL been asked if it’s [name_m]William[/name_m] or if his mother ever calls him [name_m]William[/name_m] as if I don’t understand what they are asking. I have even seen the side eye as they type it in because they don’t believe us. We have both received this treatment and it’s not even my name. It can be SO frustrating and sometimes down right insulting. That is the only thing I would keep in mind! I told the same thing to my friend who names her son [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] not [name_m]Charles[/name_m]. Maybe by the time our kids are adults the perception will be different but currently it’s an on going battle.
I know [name_f]Cathy[/name_f], [name_u]Danny[/name_u], [name_u]Johnnie[/name_u] and [name_f]Kady[/name_f]. They have the same issue.
Sure it works! Why use a long form you don’t love. If you feel you need a longer form, how about:
Billings
[name_m]Wilson[/name_m]
I think it’s fine. I’ve been crushing on just [name_m]Bill[/name_m] for a girl recently, so I definitely think it works as a stand alone name for a boy. I much prefer [name_m]Bill[/name_m], than using [name_m]William[/name_m] only to get to [name_m]Bill[/name_m].
I like [name_m]Bill[/name_m] a lot, it’s very refreshing. It makes me think of [name_m]Bill[/name_m] [name_m]Wyman[/name_m], the Rolling Stones ex-bass player.
I believe it can work on its own but you might have to answer a few “Is [name_m]Bill[/name_m] his full name?” questions.
I would be slightly surprised to meet someone who has [name_m]Bill[/name_m] as their legal name. There are some nicknames that are commonly used on their own ([name_f]Katie[/name_f], [name_f]Ellie[/name_f], [name_m]Jake[/name_m], [name_u]Charlie[/name_u]…) but in my experience [name_m]Bill[/name_m] is not one of them.
To be honest I’m not keen on [name_m]Bill[/name_m]. For me it brings to mind middle-aged men.
Same!! We listened to Schoolhouse [name_m]Rock[/name_m] all the time in elementary school.
My other issue with just [name_m]Bill[/name_m] is that it’s a pretty dated nickname. Most [name_m]Williams[/name_m] go by [name_m]Will[/name_m], [name_m]Liam[/name_m], or just [name_m]William[/name_m] nowadays. I knew a kid named [name_u]Billy[/name_u] when I was in grade school and I thought his name sounded dated. Datedness isn’t a bad thing but I picture a grandpa when I hear [name_m]Bill[/name_m].
To the nickname thing though, my nickname is [name_u]Abby[/name_u] (and that’s how I introduce myself) and sometimes people assume that [name_u]Abby[/name_u] is my full name because I never call myself [name_f]Abigael[/name_f]. [name_m]Bill[/name_m] is different because it’s not a common full name like [name_u]Abby[/name_u] is but I don’t think the assume-it’s-not-your-full-name thing is always the case. I’ve had friends be surprised when the teacher called me [name_f]Abigael[/name_f] on the first day of school.
I personally put it in the “nickname only” category. Sorry. Not a big fan.