namelover75's list "W Names I Love" of 2 great name ideas: Willoughby - Watkins!

W Names I Love

Energetic Willoughby is a familiar last name, but, as yet, makes for a unique choice in the first spot. An unexpected way to get to popular short forms Will and Billy, Willoughby could make an interesting alternative to William.
 
Despite its similarities to the popular classic, Willoughby has a different meaning and origin to the Germanic William. Derived from Old English and Old Norse, it means "farm near the willows" or perhaps "willow town" if you interpret the second element of the name as meaning "settlement". Outdoorsy and nature-connected, Willoughby may appeal to those who like Barnaby and Zebedee. 
 Willoughby Patterne is the protagonist of the George Meredith novel, The Egotist, while Willoughby Sharp was a contemporary artist, curator, critic and founder of the seminal art magazine, Avalanche. There is a classic 1962 British children's novel titled The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken that was made into a film in 1989.
 
The name was also selected by British reality TV star, Lucy Watson, for her son born in 2023.

Willoughby

Watkins originated as an English and Welsh surname derived from the medieval given name 'Wat' or 'Watt,' a diminutive of Walter, combined with the suffix '-kins' meaning 'little son of.' As a given name, Watkins represents the growing trend of using traditional surnames as first names, appealing to parents seeking distinctive options with historical roots. The name Walter, from which it ultimately derives, means 'ruler of the army' from Germanic elements. Watkins has a distinguished, somewhat aristocratic sound that evokes images of British heritage. While uncommon as a first name, it offers the friendly nicknames Wat or Kins. The name carries a sophisticated quality while maintaining connection to Anglo-Welsh traditions.