I’ve been thinking about potential girl names to honor my great grandfather [name]William[/name] [name]Emil[/name]. [name]Wilhelmina[/name] is an obvious choice but it seems a bit heavy. I came across [name]Willamina[/name] recently and really am drawn to that name. However does [name]Willamina[/name] seem like a made up name or creative spelling?
I much prefer [name]Wilhelmina[/name]. It’s pronounced “willamina” anyway, unless you go for the [name]German[/name] “vilhelmina” pronunciation.
[name]Willamina[/name] does look made-up and insubstantial to me, sorry.
[name]Wilhelmina[/name] …The nickname [name]Winnie[/name], or [name]Billie[/name], could lighten it further.
Also [name]Emmeline[/name], “[name]EM[/name]-ah-leen” could honor an [name]Emil[/name].
[name]Emmeline[/name] [name]Willa[/name] or [name]Emmeline[/name] [name]Willow[/name]
I prefer [name]Wilhelmina[/name] as well. They’re pronounced the same, and I think [name]Wilhelmina[/name] looks more regal and sophisticated than [name]Willamina[/name].
I personally prefer [name]Wilhelmina[/name] as well. If you think it’s too heavy what about just [name]Willa[/name] or [name]Willow[/name] to honour [name]William[/name]. I think [name]Willamina[/name] would always have problems with spelling issues which may not be the end of the world but it’s something to consider.
I agree with all the above posts. [name]Wilhelmina[/name] just looks better in comparison to [name]Willamina[/name].
[name]Willamina[/name] does look like creative spelling. [name]Wilhelmina[/name] looks a lot nicer. And it’s a great name!
I MUCH, MUCH prefer the traditional spelling [name]Wilhelmina[/name]. The name loses its old-fashioned charm with the other spelling.
In my opinion, [name]Willamina[/name] looks like an illiterate attempt at [name]Wilhelmina[/name]. [name]Wilhelmina[/name] is gorgeous. If you prefer the [name]Willa[/name] part of the name, I’d go with [name]Willa[/name] or [name]Willow[/name], both of which do a great job of honoring [name]William[/name]. I also like the suggestion of [name]Emmeline[/name]!
I have to agree…I would think the parents did not know how to spell the name and made up a spelling. I vote for traditional here too.
Yeah I agree, if you don’t like the [name]Wilhelmina[/name] spelling, go with [name]Willa[/name] or [name]Willow[/name] instead. [name]Mina[/name] and [name]Minnie[/name] are also cute nns for [name]Wilhelmina[/name] though 
[name]Willamina[/name] sounds made up to me. I much prefer [name]Wilhelmina[/name].
An alternative Dutch spelling also used here is [name]Willemina[/name], as [name]Willem[/name] is the Dutch version of [name]William[/name].
[name]Wilhelmina[/name] is more classic and valid.
[name]Willamina[/name] fits more in the “yooneek” spelling category and loses much of its original charm.
All these responses have definitely put [name]Willamina[/name] into the “kreatif” category and I’m definitely not a fan of those names.
I always thought [name]Wilhelmina[/name] was pronounced [name]Wil[/name]-hel-mean-a. There’s a local family with the last name [name]Wilhelm[/name] and they pronounce the H. So I’m happy to learn the proper way to say [name]Wilhelmina[/name].Thank you everyone for your thoughts on this subject.
Forgot to add…
I love the nicknames [name]Willa[/name], [name]Mina[/name], and [name]Minnie[/name]. There are just so many cute options!
I’m not pregnant yet but my son will be a year [name]April[/name] 19th and its getting close to TTC time. I already have the boy name picked out… [name]Abraham[/name] [name]Jack[/name]. I’m pretty much set that a girl would be [name]Wilhelmina[/name]. Still thinking about middles. Perhaps [name]Quinn[/name].
My SO chose our son’s name [name]Thomas[/name] [name]James[/name]. It plain and very traditional but the SO was so adamant about naming him after our grandfathers. I want to spice up the next name but stay somewhat traditional.