Why “W” Is Called “Double U”
In short: Medieval scribes wrote the W sound as two U’s (“uu”), and back then U and V were the same letter, so English kept the name “double U.”
You might expect “W” to be called “double‑V” given its appearance, but the name comes from its medieval origin. In early writing, the letter “V” was used for the consonant and “U” for the vowel—even though they looked the same. When a new consonant sound emerged, scribes wrote it as two “U”s side by side—and “double‑U” became the name, despite the modern “W” shape. This reflects spelling evolution far older than today’s typography norms.
How to use it
Say it as DUB-uhl-yoo, with three syllables. You’ll need it when spelling names, email addresses and websites aloud. In casual speech, some Americans shorten it to “dubya.” Other languages differ: French and Spanish, for example, do call it “double V.”
Examples
- “Is that with a V?” “No, a double U, as in Washington.”
- My last name is Wu. That’s W-U.
- The address starts with www, so say “double U, double U, double U.”
A common mistake
Don’t call it “double V,” even though it looks like two V’s. In English it’s always double U.
Where it comes from
In Old English, the W sound was often written with a letter called wynn, borrowed from runes. After the Norman Conquest in 1066, scribes trained in French writing used “uu” or “vv” instead, and over time the joined letters became the single letter W.
Say it out loud
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Source: Today You Should Know