Hello! One of my favorite names for a little girl is [name_f]Willa[/name_f]! But if I name my baby [name_f]Willa[/name_f], will she grow up being teased with ‘willy’? Anyone with any insight or similar stories (could be about any name related to teasing)!
For the record, I have nothing against the name [name_m]Willy[/name_m], but I get how that can be a ‘teasing’ name for a girl. Thanks!
I wouldn’t be concerned about this at all. I’m not sure where you live, but in the US and the UK at least [name_m]William[/name_m] is one of the most popular names in both countries for years now and there are many many [name_m]Wills[/name_m] of all ages. And now [name_f]Willow[/name_f] is one of the top girl names as well, in the UK top 10 and US top 50. With that being said, a [name_f]Willa[/name_f] would be just fine! It’s a beautiful name.
You can ignore this part if you are not in the US, but I don’t think [name_m]Willy[/name_m] is really used as slang over here anyways. I get the impression that it is more [name_f]British[/name_f] slang. I don’t think most American kids would even recognize it as teasing potential.
All names, even the timeless choices or the most popular names in the world can become targets of teasing. [name_m]Just[/name_m] like the nicest person in the world can be bullied by someone with bad intentions, unfortunately… I wish there was a way to guess what our children will feel about their names and how others will react to them, in the future, but that’s impossible.
[name_f]Willa[/name_f] is a very well-established name for a girl. I think it is lovely and beautiful. If you love it, please use it!
[name_m]Even[/name_m] if one day someone says something negative or less positive about the name [name_f]Willa[/name_f], you can always use strategies to deal with the situation. For example, you can remind yourself and explain to your little girl all the reasons why you love her name!
I hope this helps. Good luck! 
I’ve had this very thought about this name. Knowing the kids in my area, this would 100% be an issue. I don’t think it’s quite the same as [name_f]Willow[/name_f], a noun name, and the long established historically regal name [name_m]William[/name_m], I think both of those factors shield those names from the issue, but I do think this name, only one letter away, would get it. It probably depends on where you are.
Since [name_m]William[/name_m] is one of the most popular boys names, you’ll probably be fine
Thank you all so much! This is very helpful!
Thanks for the input! Are you in the US? As someone else mentioned, not sure if this is more of a UK thing?
UK 
so that very well may be the case
[name_f]My[/name_f] 2yo is [name_f]Willa[/name_f] and no one has nicknamed her [name_m]Willy[/name_m] yet! We call her Willabee. I’m in the US though and willy is not slang here, so may be different in the UK…
I think [name_f]Willa[/name_f] is gorgeous. I think it’s short and snappy enough that no one would think to shorten it. It’s been on my list for years and years.
Also, as others have said, kids are creative and will find a way to poke fun at anyone or anything, so don’t let it consume you if you love the name. I have 5 children and I’ve given them all names I thought were tease-proof, and yet… 
I do not think this would be a concern, though I am speaking from a US perspective. I think that the only chance it gets shortened is during sports, in which case I think people would be more likely to say [name_m]Will[/name_m] or [name_m]Wills[/name_m], if they shorten it at all.
Thank you all! I am in the US so I think I’ll keep [name_f]Willa[/name_f] at the top of my list
Just seeing this. My 7 year old is Willa and no one has yet called her “willy”. The closest she’s got to teasing for her name, is “Willa Wonka” and “Willa Vanilla”, but only a handful of times and she didn’t notice - this came from parents actually so really I was the one meant to be having a laugh. Willa has yet to get a nickname from friends. From family (us and her aunts & uncles), she’s Will, Lil, Lily, Lala, Minnie, Willabee (a new one, from PP on here). I wouldn’t let it stop you. Your Willa will be smart enough to rapid fire back if needed anyway.
I like [name_f]Willa[/name_f], but I find [name_f]Willow[/name_f] way prettier to be honest.
I wouldn’t be worried about that. [name_m]Willy[/name_m] is a cute NN for [name_f]Willa[/name_f], and [name_f]Willa[/name_f] is an absolutely stunning name, not to mention adorable! There could possibly be bullies out there who could do something like that. I do think though, that within the next decade or so, [name_m]Willy[/name_m] probably has a good chance of becoming a more popular girl NN that many people will be familiar with and wouldn’t give a second thought to.