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I do think of the volleyball from Cast Away, but it's not overwhelming. I also think of Wilson Wilson, Jr. from Home Improvement, Mr. Wilson from Dennis the Menace, and Woodrow Wilson, so it's not like it lacks alternative associations.

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Wilson is warm and comfortable, like someone's grandpa. Or wool socks. It's more interesting and less formal than William and not as self-consciously hipster as Wilbur. I think I like it.

My art teacher at school named her son this, about 10 years ago. I don't mind it.

"Willlllsoooon!" bawled Tom Hanks's character, chasing his volleyball through the surf.

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Sorry, that's all I can think of.

I know one

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A history professor I had in college. Funny enough his last name was also a W boy's first name... he had a reversible name for sure. The only reason I could ever remember which order his name went in was because he went by Bill.

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I don't really like it, but it definitely could work as a first name.

I love Wilson! It's not weird and uncommon but it's more spunky than William. Such a great name! =)

There's a well-known actor here in South Africa called Wilson Dunster. So it has been done!

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It could have all the nns possible for William except for Liam, which I can't stand anyway. So that's a plus. I don't enjoy lnfns unless there's a family association, but if there is, then fine.

I don't see why not. 1- You can use the nickname Will and 2-It goes along with all the other -son names in popularity.

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I don't think it sounds super old, and the comic book character won't be known by most people, particularly not for his generation.

Definitely. I really like Wilson. It has the cool retro vibe of Winston, but it's much softer. I'm not a fan of the nicknames Wil or Will.

WILSON!!!!!

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I just hear Tom Hanks screaming it at a volley ball. And I've never even actually seen "Cast Away."

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Outside of that it does have a comforting sort of feel. My neighbor growing up, whose family was really close to mine and still is, had a good friend named Wilson. There was another friend hanging around a lot at the same time but I don't remember HIS name.

Yeah, it would work. I think it has been quietly being done for a long time.
I might even prefer it to all the other Wil-names I can think of ... it even beats Wilfred and Wilbur. I'm not a fan of these names, but I don't have anything against them either.

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It has a vaguely sporty vibe because of the tennis balls.

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It could totally work. Wilson sounds down-to-earth and cuddly. A lovable guy.

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A friend of mine considered naming her son Wilton, which I also think is cool as a first name. (Wilton, was her maiden name.)

Yes, I think it works fine and it's rather handsome. He could be Wil for short, but that wouldn't be really necessary.

Wilson, Davis and Harris are all surnames that I think about as first names pretty often. They are so cutely cozy-yuppie. I like Wilson a lot, it's very warm.