We have a 5 yo girl named [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] and we have ALWAYS loved the boy name [name_m]William[/name_m] first before [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] was born. We just had a son and named him [name_m]William[/name_m] but now I’m having second thoughts on if it’s too similar to [name_f]Lillian[/name_f]. [name_f]My[/name_f] husband just loves the name and thinks it’s fine. I am super concerned that I want my son and daughter to feel like individuals. But now it feels impossible to change his name even if we wanted to. [name_f]My[/name_f] daughter even commented how the names sound similar.
We use nicknames for [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] - [name_f]Lil[/name_f], [name_f]Lilly[/name_f] and [name_f]Lilla[/name_f]. We could do [name_m]Liam[/name_m] or Will… I even thought of [name_m]Leo[/name_m]. (Is [name_m]Leo[/name_m] too much of a stretch bc I love it and almost don’t care!) But they are all so similar with L short names!!! [name_m]Or[/name_m] is it cute they kind of go together? I’m worried people will call them [name_f]Lilly[/name_f] and [name_m]Willy[/name_m] - don’t like [name_m]Willy[/name_m].
The runner up name I loved is [name_m]Everett[/name_m] but is it crazy to change names now a month after he’s been born? A name is so sentimental. His middle name is [name_m]James[/name_m] bc of late father in law. I just want me son to have a special name. I wish he could choose now 
What should I do?!
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I think they’re a little too close. what about two middle names for your son?
They are a little close, but I think they work okay together. I think using [name_m]Leo[/name_m] as a nickname would help with the similarity and I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch! If [name_f]Peggy[/name_f] can work for [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] I don’t see why [name_m]Leo[/name_m] can’t work for [name_m]William[/name_m]. Maybe using [name_f]Jamie[/name_f] from his middle name as a nickname could also be an option?
[name_m]William[/name_m] is a very handsome name and a great choice.
This is the eternal struggle of liking particular sounds in names! [name_f]Do[/name_f] you pronounce [name_m]William[/name_m] with three syllables? I tend to say Will-y’m, with two syllables in my [name_f]British[/name_f] [name_f]English[/name_f] accent, but assuming for a minute that both children’s names are said with 3 syllables, here’s are my thoughts: You’re fine. [name_f]Lillian[/name_f] and [name_m]William[/name_m] are such great names. You’ve loved [name_m]William[/name_m] for a long time, and now got to use it. That’s very special, and with his honour middle name there’s so much meaning in what you have chosen. [name_m]William[/name_m] [name_m]James[/name_m] is an incredibly handsome combination!
On the similarity: Yes they are close in sound and letters. However, many siblings out there have similar names. Is it a problem for them? Apart from occasionally people commenting that they have noticed, I don’t think so, and you’d be surprised how many won’t notice! I grew up with a [name_f]Carla[/name_f] who had a brother named [name_m]Carl[/name_m]. I’ll PM you the names in my own family! I once overheard a [name_m]William[/name_m] [name_m]Williams[/name_m] being called for his prescription at the pharmacy! Your situation is not like [name_f]Carla[/name_f] and [name_m]Carl[/name_m] or [name_m]William[/name_m] [name_m]Williams[/name_m] at all! I think that having a girl and a boy also makes their names distinct, placing them into different categories in people’s minds.
Finally, I’ve know a few siblings called [name_f]Lily[/name_f] and [name_m]Leo[/name_m] and never thought they were too close, just lovely names and liked the L-beginnings. It only matters what you and your husband think and if it’s still bothering you in a few weeks it would probably be a good idea to discuss that with him.
Enjoy your new baby, sending you restful wishes for as much sleep as possible!
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They are a bit close for my tastes but I think they’re distinguishable enough from each other and both so classic that you’re probably good to use them both. I have met sibs with equally similar names who’ve been okay (think [name_f]Joni[/name_f] and [name_m]Joey[/name_m], [name_m]Timmy[/name_m] and [name_m]Tommy[/name_m], [name_f]Amina[/name_f] and Anina). Besides, they won’t be together all the time - especially with L being 5 years older - so it’s not like it will always be ‘Lil and Will’ when they’re at school / out and about in the world.
In terms of nicknames, I think these all work:
[name_f]Lily[/name_f] and [name_m]Will[/name_m]
[name_f]Lily[/name_f] and [name_m]Leo[/name_m]
[name_f]Lilla[/name_f] and [name_m]Liam[/name_m]
[name_f]Lily[/name_f] and [name_m]William[/name_m]
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] and [name_m]Will[/name_m]
[name_f]Lily[/name_f] and [name_m]Leo[/name_m]
You could also do:
‘Dubs’ (dubble-u / W - there’s a sports man who uses it, a golfer I think)
[name_m]Wilkie[/name_m]
[name_m]Sonny[/name_m]
[name_m]Whit[/name_m]
I don’t think [name_m]Willy[/name_m] is intuitive these days
I’ve known people who’ve changed their baby name after a month or so - it’s not unheard of - especially as it would be fairly easy to explain, if your daughter has mentioned it.
I think the real question is - do you want to change it? If it didn’t matter, if everyone said it wasn’t a problem, would you be happy to keep [name_m]William[/name_m]? Does it feel comfortable/right for you to call him [name_m]William[/name_m]? [name_f]Do[/name_f] you find it easy to introduce him as [name_m]William[/name_m], or easy to introduce your kids together?
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A little too close . but [name_f]Lily[/name_f] and [name_m]William[/name_m] Together without a nickname or A different nickname like [name_m]Liam[/name_m] is great 
William is a handsome choice. You made a great decision and I think a year from now you’ll feel assured that his name works for him and for your family.
Reasons why the names works:
- You and your husband love the name just as you love Lillian’s name
- William and Lillian are traditional names with long histories so they are complementary rather than matchy
- Siblings are 5 years apart and at different life stages so it’s very unlikely to be confusing
- Siblings are brother and sister so they will be even more distinct as individuals
- Different number of syllables
- Different beginning and ending sounds
- Most of their lives will be led as individuals outside the context of their siblings
I don’t see any problems with nicknames sharing similar sounds if you use nicknames interchangeably with the full names because the usage casual and situational. If Lillian and William choose to go by a nickname all the time when they’re older, it’s very likely their own preferences would be to avoid anything that rhymes.
Nickname options to consider:
- Wilkes
- Wim
- Willo
- Wills
- Willsy
- Wilby
- Willis
- Wilt
- Wynn
- Wiley
- Wally
- Wells
- Billy
- Lee
- Lemmy
- Lam
One final thought. You have loved this name for a long time, longer than you’ve known your children. If you didn’t have any doubts during your pregnancy or in the five years since naming Lillian, then I think that shows these doubts to be unfounded and more likely due to all the post-partum changes and adjustments you are making as a new family of four.
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I dont think they’re too close. If you shorten to [name_m]Will[/name_m] & [name_f]Lil[/name_f] or [name_f]Lilly[/name_f] and [name_m]Willy[/name_m] than yeah maybe a bit too close (however I know siblings named [name_f]Jen[/name_f] & [name_m]Ben[/name_m], [name_m]Pat[/name_m] & [name_m]Mat[/name_m], and [name_m]Andrew[/name_m] & [name_f]Andrea[/name_f] and they all have lived happy lives!)
But [name_f]Lily[/name_f] & [name_m]Liam[/name_m], though a little sing songy, aren’t too close for siblings in my opinion. And neither are [name_f]Lily[/name_f] & [name_m]Leo[/name_m] (I think you can totally use [name_m]Leo[/name_m] or Lio!)
[name_f]Lillian[/name_f] and [name_m]William[/name_m] are similar, but with nicknames, you can make it work. [name_f]Lily[/name_f] and [name_m]Will[/name_m] are very distinct, for example.
I don’t think it is too late to change his name, but if you absolutely love it, I believe the best option for you is to select a nice nickname that stands out. I love @kachenka 's suggestions. Perhaps, you can also consider WJ.
Congratulations!
I think both names you’ve chosen are beautiful. Lilli@n is classic, has sweet springtime energy and a range of beautiful nicknames. William is a steady dependable classic that feels regal, charming and distinguished. I think even though with the repeated L sound they do have a similar sound they are lovely. I honestly think you have chosen well. Yes there is repeated sounds but you get sibling sets (I know these personally) such as Br0dy & C0dy, Kinsl3y & Kayd3n and L1ly & L0la nobody bats an eye. People are just attracted to certain sounds almost like with clothes how you may gravitate towards colourful clothing whereas others may like black. You clearly like the same sounds. I do not think this means your son will feel like he doesn’t have his own individual name. Just like I know my cousins Kinsl3y + Kayd3n do not feel this way. Also going by Lily & Liam would be sweet.
However your baby is only a month old it would definitely not be to late to change their name in my opinion you’ve got until they are about Six months old to complete a name change. Still it’s completely normal when you’re in this stage of postpartum period to experience name doubt I know I did. It’s a tough period be kind to yourself.
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I know siblings named L!ly and Willi@m and it works! Yes, they’re similar, but it helps that they’re a boy and a girl. (Something like brothers [name_m]Liam[/name_m] and [name_m]Leo[/name_m] would be more confusing, or [name_f]Lily[/name_f] and [name_f]Lola[/name_f], for example.) You love their names and it’s workable - I wouldn’t change a thing.
Baz Luhrmann & Catherine Martin’s now adult children are Lillian & William, so it’s been done before!
I would keep the name you love. Day to day, siblings don’t see or introduce themselves or interact in relation to their sibling - your son William isn’t going to be having to tell people that his sister’s name is Lillian while going about the world. I was going to suggest changing it to Wilfred for the nn Wilf/Wilfie but I don’t really think you should. I would stick with your choice. They’re both elegant and esteemed names and the similarities are likely to be more comforting than annoying!
I love Wilkie or Wiley as nn’s, but I also don’t see the probably with Lily & Will - even if one uncle at Xmas time says “hello, Lily & Willy hahaha!”.
They’re definitely very similar…but I think you can make them work.
[name_m]William[/name_m] gives lots of nickname potential!
[name_m]Bill[/name_m]
[name_m]Bud[/name_m]
[name_m]Buck[/name_m]
[name_m]Willy[/name_m]
[name_m]Or[/name_m] just call him by [name_m]William[/name_m]. Names tend to get mixed up my parents or family member(s) regardless when you’re calling them, etc.
I do not see them at all as too similar but they go well together and make really lovely set. I think the nicknames would be too similar if you use Lilly and Billy but Lilly and Will or Lily and Liam is completely fine and sounds great together. What about just calling him William?
I say Lillian lil ee in and William will-yim
Willam is so handsome and has a gazillion nicknames. Leo is a great one and totally usable. But if you don’t like it I don’t think it’s too late to change his name. He could be Everett William James and it’s really not a huge deal. Or he could go by his middle name James.
Ahh just read the suggestion of Wiley and that is too cute!! Wolf would be sweet as well but a bit of a stretch!
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These nickname ideas are so cute it has made me fall in love with the name [name_m]William[/name_m]! [name_f]Adore[/name_f] [name_m]Wiley[/name_m] and [name_m]Wells[/name_m]!
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I think they do feel similar but they could work! I know a family with a sibset of Ar@bel and W!lliam - they go by Belle and Will and that in itself feels sort of similar to me, but I think you do have some control over what nickname gets used - maybe not total control, but a lot of it! I feel like most Ashleys get the nn Ash at some point, but my parents never used that nn so most people I’ve known do not call me Ash. I think you could use Lily and Will or Lily and Liam or even Lily and Wim with no issues. Plus, I think it helps that though the middle of Lillian and William are identical, they are pronounced differently lih-lee-in and WILL-yum.
Everett is beautiful and would’ve been my choice of the two, but if you love William, I think you could definitely use him! Maybe just make sure to emphasize a nn that isn’t Willy, and I think it should be ok. I feel like most people wouldn’t go straight to Willy anyway, I don’t think it’s terribly attractive and just makes me think of wet willies 
but I think Will, Wim, or Liam are all fine with Lily or Lilla! I would just try to stay away from Lil and Will lol.
Good luck!
ETA: Didn’t think of Wells or Wiley until I saw some of the other posts, but the sibset I mentioned above, they had planned to call him Wiley! I think Lil/Lily/Lilla and Wiley work fine and so do Lily and Wells! I think Wells is great.
Awww you guys, these are some wonderful suggestions at keeping the name alive. Thank you all for being so kind and thoughtful. So many good ideas of nicknames to think about. I’m starting to think…. Maybe actually we picked the very best name of all for our son. It does feel similar enough but different as well. A nickname will def help distinguish if it’s even needed. I loved Lillian’s name for tons of nickname options and now I’ve realized there is the same for [name_m]William[/name_m]! Btw I think we are also adding [name_m]Everett[/name_m] to his middle name bc we also love it. Sending many thanks from the sleepy happy mom 
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