Is [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] too much for a baby girl born in 2017? Would It be better for the child to just put [name_f]Willa[/name_f] on the birth certificate?
[name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] is a family name for me on more then one side. I love the idea of naming her [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] and calling her [name_f]Willa[/name_f]. However I’m afraid it’s too big of a name and would hinder my daughter. We do have a short one syllable last name so that helps.
I personally adore [name_f]Willa[/name_f] and not particularly fond of [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f]. For you, I like [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] “[name_f]Willa[/name_f]” because of [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] being a family name. The length, amount of syllables, is not an issue…at least to me, with this name. What I could see as an issue is [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] sticking out compared to the majority of names, at least where I have lived/live now. It’s like [name_f]Edith[/name_f], [name_f]Winifred[/name_f], [name_f]Mabel[/name_f], [name_f]Bertha[/name_f], etc. Some feel right at home with popular names today, some are borderline, and some you just cannot picture used right now (if ever). I feel [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] is borderline, at least in the US. That might not be an issue where you live.
Personally I prefer [name_f]Willa[/name_f], and I think your daughter would as well
But, I do find [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] usable
It is the same amount of syllables as [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] so its not too long, and it has some nice nicknames ([name_f]Willa[/name_f], [name_f]Minnie[/name_f], [name_f]Ellie[/name_f], [name_f]Mina[/name_f], Elmie etc)
[name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] is lovely. I am not sure how it could hinder your daughter - surely having a mega popular name with multiple spelling variations would cause far more problems? And it’s certainly not too “big” a name - as far as length goes, [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f], [name_f]Isabella[/name_f], [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f], [name_f]Penelope[/name_f], and other popular/increasingly popular names have the same number of syllables (as @emmievis noted), you’d be calling her [name_f]Willa[/name_f], and even so it really isn’t a bad thing to make people enunciate four syllables instead of two. Its being a family name also gives it more credibility if you’re unsure about that, though I don’t think you need that as an excuse.
I guess the upshot is that you should use the one that feels right, and not be scared of using [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] because of its length or comparative lack of exposure.
I prefer [name_f]Willa[/name_f] personally–I don’t love the “helm” part of [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f], and it is definitely a big name. I did see [name_f]Willemina[/name_f] mentioned on another thread recently and it feels more modern and useable to me.
If you’re planning using her full name, I vote for [name_f]Willa[/name_f]. I’m not a big fan of [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f], but I think it could work with nicknames like [name_m]Will[/name_m], [name_f]Willa[/name_f], [name_f]Minnie[/name_f]…
I love [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f]! And it is the same number of syllables as [name_f]Isabella[/name_f] or [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] and is only one letter longer than the latter.
i feel the big and frou frou [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] is much better than [name_f]Willa[/name_f]. [name_f]Willa[/name_f] always seems cut off and abrupt.
[name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] has substances and multiple nicknames, worth it.
Personally I prefer the name [name_f]Willa[/name_f] and I think it is a name that can stand on its own. Although [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] is a great name as well, the length doesn’t matter, and I love that it’s a family name for you. [name_f]Willa[/name_f] can also make a great nickname, so I think you should name your daughter [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] and give her the nickname [name_f]Willa[/name_f]. Best Wishes.