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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Where are all the Olivia's?!

38 replies

raggles · 04/07/2012 14:30

I'm expecting another girl. My daughter is called Francesca and I really love her name (we call her Frankie). I'm struggling to find another girls name which I like as much and which 'goes' with Francesca!

I really really like Olivia and think Francesca and Olivia sounds lovely. However, I see it is one of the most popular/the most popular girls name and would hate for there to be loads of Olivia's in her class etc, especially when Francesca is relatively under used. But I don't know of any little Olivia's (know one grown up!) so if it is so popular where are they all?

So basically do you know of loads of Olivia's? And can you think of anything else which goes with Francesca? Thank you!!

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gazzalw · 05/07/2012 20:50

Think you are right about the geographical spread of names.

Actually the other two Olivias at DC's primary school (the other two are no longer there) were Australian and American.

birdofthenorth · 05/07/2012 14:27

I have wondered this about Olivia. I know one the home counties & none here in the North West. Can't move for Freyas though, yet there are none in the large Scottish primary my friend teaches at. Very regional IMHO.

AmazingBouncingFerret · 05/07/2012 14:13

Franesca and Belinda, then you can have Frankie and Benny! Grin

Devora · 05/07/2012 14:10

These things are very regional, aren't they? Actually, they're local. I used to know a lot of Olivias in London Zone 1. Now I live in Zone 6 and don't know any.

Littlecherublegs · 05/07/2012 14:08

I know 3 - one is 1 month old, one is 2 yrs, and one is 18!

I think it is a lovely name though so if you like it, go with it!

Other names to go with Francesca could be:
Anna
Georgia / Georgina
Emily
Heidi
Gracie
Evelyn
Harriet
Lydia
Milly
Victoria

EmpressOfTheSevenOceans · 05/07/2012 14:06

I have a 16 year old cousin called Olivia and I know of an 8 year old one. It's very pretty.

And of course we all know the great OliviaMumsnet.

OneLittleBabyTerror · 05/07/2012 13:51

Oh and Evies and Evas too.

OneLittleBabyTerror · 05/07/2012 13:51

I only know one. But there are a lot of Isabellas, Isobels and Isabelles. I can't believe it's not number 1 still.

Maryz · 05/07/2012 13:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

applepieinthesky · 05/07/2012 13:44

Francesca and Olivia go very well together.

I live in the South East and the only Olivia I know lives in Manchester. Plenty of Emilys Evies and Lilys here.

randomimposter · 05/07/2012 13:05

I don't know any. None in either of DS's nurseries, haven't met any at playgroups/clubs etc. (But know 3 Francescas FWIW).

I think it's a lovely name, and if you don't know any in your close circle, use it if you love it.

gazzalw · 05/07/2012 12:06

Funnily enough, Ella was DW's first choice for our DD but it was already proving to be popular when she was pregnant so we changed our minds!

I think that there are some names that can stand the test of becoming popular. Olivia always makes me think of Shakespeare and Ms de Havilland and you can't get more classy than those two!

It is still by no means as popular as Jack, Tom, Josh for boys...

GnocchiNineDoors · 05/07/2012 10:33

I like Stevie with Frankie but am aware it may be bit too out there.

I really like Olivia and dont know a single one.

Look for names that go with Frankie rather than Francesca if thats what yiu call her, so Frankie and
Georgia
Harriet
Pippa / Philippa

Dropdeadfred · 05/07/2012 10:20

We have more Emilys, Sophies etc

WhosPickleisThatOnion · 05/07/2012 08:44

It's a lovely name. My friend has one, it's odd I don't know of many even though it's supposed to be popular. We have far far far more Ellie's and Ella's around here.

Original poster
raggles · 05/07/2012 08:34

Thanks everyone and for the suggestions. It is a lovely name which is why it is so popular! Aaaargh I still don't know!!

OP posts:
gazzalw · 05/07/2012 06:27

We have a nearly 7 year old Olivia too - again DW has loved the name for years and it wasn't popular when she was born but do agree that when you are out and about it's one of those names you hear parents calling everywhere.

But we still think it's a lovely name and although popular it is not common.

Curiously at DCs primary school there were three spread over the years but now only DD!

mathanxiety · 05/07/2012 06:20

I know at least ten. It's a lovely name though.

How about
Francesca and Alicia
Francesca and Eliza
Francesca and Valentina
Francesca and Leonora
Francesca and Penelope
Francesca and Anastasia
Francesca and Jemima
Francesca and Genevieve
Francesca and Sabrina
Francesca and Gwendolene
Francesca and Sylvia
Francesca and Matilda
Francesca and Tamsin
Francesca and Serafina

changeforthebetter · 04/07/2012 18:50

DD is an Olivia (tho she prefers shortened versions) and we are Yorks & Humber! There is one other in her year which is not bad out of 75 kids. There are far more bloody Maxes, Harries and Jacks!!

Lolalollipop · 04/07/2012 18:47

In the north. Lol. I'm goin now Smile

Lolalollipop · 04/07/2012 18:46

Oops meant to say I know 2. A 15 yr old and an 8 yo x

Lolalollipop · 04/07/2012 18:46

Interesting thread op. I love Olivia but seems to get slated for the popularity thing but I always say go with what you live. A friend of mine went with something unpopular 10years ago and it's sooo popular now so you just never know. At least if it's popular when you choose it there's no surprises ha. Beautiful name thou I think Smile

arya7weasley · 04/07/2012 17:40

They are all in Yorkshire and the North East OP Wink
Total of 7 in my first school, 4 in the next and at least two in every year group since.
Always loved the name though and it does go well with Francesca so I say use it if you love it.

Fimbo · 04/07/2012 17:30

Oh and I know another one but she gets called Oli.

Fimbo · 04/07/2012 17:30

One of my dd's best friend's is Olivia but she gets called either Liv or Livvy. Next door's neighbour's wee one is called Olivia too. But again more often than not Livvy.