Could North WIldwood be named Anglesea … again?

A movement is underway to change the name of North Wildwood to it's original name.

The first discussion about changing the entire city's name back to its first name, "Anglesea," as it was founded in 1885 according to North Wildwood Mayor Patrick Rosenello during a 130th anniversary celebration in 2015."The name never went away" as it still the name of a neighborhood in the city where there is still an Anglesea Volunteer Fire Company, the Anglesea Pub and the First Baptist Church of Anglesea.

A petition drive led by resident Ed Wheaton, who lives in the Anglesea section, was brought before the North Wildwood City Council on Tuesday night who will take it under consideration. "The best way for us to respond is with a non-binding referendum so all residents have a say" in a potential name change Rosenello said. "We're a long way from changing the name of North Wildwood

Wheaton told the Press of Atlantic City  supporters of the name change want to create the city's own identity.  His father, James, is also a supporter. “Anglesea is a lot prettier a name than North Wildwood. Also I think it breaks the image of North Wildwood being in the shadow of Wildwood. It makes people think North Wildwood is a part of Wildwood. It should stand on its own," James told the newspaper.

Rosenello said he will be looking at other name changes around the state but is most interested in Lake Como's name change from South Belmar in Monmouth County. Originally called South Belmar, voters in 2004 approved a referendum to change their name to Lake Como

The city was originally founded as "Anglesea" but changed its name to the borough of North Wildwood in 1906 and then became a city in 1917 according to Rosenello.