Notting Hill couple names sons after Bond villains, hints at future daughter name

In Notting Hill, a couple has given their newborn sons names drawn from the world of James Bond, launching a high-profile, Bond-inspired naming project that mixes pop culture with family lore. William and Annabel Woodhams welcomed Basil Groove Blofeld Woodhams and Stanley Beats Scaramanga Woodhams into their extended family, signaling the latest chapter in a four-year pattern that has drawn attention from Bond fans and entertainment observers alike. Basil, whose middle name nods to a Bond villain, and Stanley, whose full name references a DJ persona and a beloved BBC comedy character, have become the centerpiece of the family’s ongoing naming experiment.

The Woodhams originally planned to name their first son Stanley Beats Woodhams, with Beats serving as a middle name tied to Annabel’s career as a house music DJ known as ABEL and to their favorite character from the BBC show People Just Do Nothing. On the way to the register office at Chelsea Old Town Hall, William, then 47, made a spontaneous choice to add a Bond villain into the mix, producing Stanley Beats Scaramanga Woodhams. The shift has been described as a lighthearted revenge on the original plan, which William has characterized as pretentious, and it cemented the couple’s preference for combining personal history, music, and cinema into their children’s names.

Basil Groove Blofeld Woodhams, the newborn’s full name, carries the same thematic thread as his brother’s. The middle name Groove reflects Annabel’s musical career, while the surname Blofeld equivocates with the Bond villain who led the evil organization Spectre in the long-running spy saga. The family’s naming approach extends beyond the boys; they already keep odd entries in the household, including a horse named Disco Dinosaur Wonky Donkey and three dogs named Pablo Escobark, Disco Rita and Gloria Estefan. William says the family’s humor about names is a bonding mechanism, and he notes that his own childhood experiences with unusual monikers have not deterred his stance on their approach.

William, a publishing company director, defends the naming choice by pointing to his appreciation of Fleming’s literary world and the broader appeal of cinematic villains who remain memorable. He suggests that the Bond universe, with its mix of danger and charm, offers a quirky but meaningful wellspring for family naming, adding that the names are meant to be lighthearted rather than hurtful. He emphasizes that he respects the opinions of others while also valuing the personal significance the Bond references hold for him and his wife.

Annabel, 37, who performs as a house music DJ under the stage name ABEL, admits that the Bond theme has grown from a private joke into a public conversation. She acknowledges her partner’s push to keep the tradition alive and says she would not necessarily veto future names should another idea come forward, though she concedes that some people may find the scheme eccentric. The couple has used a consistent pattern so far: the first name honors an elderly relative, the middle names nod to music and Bond lore, and the third name pays tribute to a Bond villain. This structure, they say, offers continuity as the children grow.

As the family contemplates future additions, the couple has floated potential names for a daughter that would fit their pattern. Foremost candidates include Goldfinger and Pussy Galore, both direct references to Bond lore. The idea of a girl with a Bond-themed name has not been dismissed, but the couple remains mindful of how such a name would be perceived in school and beyond. They say they will consider suggestions if a compelling idea arises, but for now Basil and Stanley stand as the living embodiment of their naming philosophy.

The Chelsea registry moment occurred under Covid-era guidelines, which restricted attendance to a single person at the register office. The administration and the family navigated the strict rules while embracing a ceremony that has since attracted media interest and public curiosity. The Woodhams say they did not anticipate the level of attention their naming choices would provoke, though they acknowledge the fascination around the intersection of pop culture and family life.

Overall, the Woodhams’ approach underscores how personal history, entertainment culture, and family identity can intersect in contemporary naming trends. Supporters argue that the names reflect a shared passion and a sense of humor that binds the family together, while critics describe the practice as provocative. Whatever the reaction, the couple maintains that their names are a reflection of who they are and the world they want to share with their children as they grow up in Notting Hill and beyond.