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Baby names

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

Original poster

Violet or Olive?

47 replies

HowAboutNo · 29/12/2013 18:45

Which do you prefer? (And if I can be so cheeky, why?)

And if neither, any suggestions that are similar?

Thanks
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CluelessNewbie1 · 29/12/2013 18:46

Violet - my grandmother and my daughter's middle name.

Iwaswatchingthat · 29/12/2013 18:47

Violet - family name, prettier I think too.

Olive - not as keen, not as pretty in my mind, makes me think of Popeye.

BunnyLebowski · 29/12/2013 18:47

Violet. Definitely, It's so pretty.

Olive is just ugly to my ear. Dumpy and dull.

MarysDressSways · 29/12/2013 18:48

Violet! Prettier.

MadameJosephine · 29/12/2013 18:50

Definitely Violet

Bellebelle · 29/12/2013 18:50

Violet - I really wanted to call DD2 this but DH didn't like it. Can't quite put into words why I like it so much, I think its a great girl's name, even though it's a colour/flower I don't think it's overly girlie and still relatively unusual although growing in popularity I think.

Olive is nice too though.

bootsycollins · 29/12/2013 18:50

Violet!

Original poster
HowAboutNo · 29/12/2013 18:52

I like both in equal measure so this will probably sway me!

OP posts:
Onesleeptillwembley · 29/12/2013 18:57

Find olive an ugly name, but live Olivia.

tumbletumble · 29/12/2013 18:58

I have

tumbletumble · 29/12/2013 18:58

Sorry

NigellasDealer · 29/12/2013 19:00

Olive sounds really dated and not due a revivial.
Violet is nice but sounds a bit like Violent?
what about Viola?

tumbletumble · 29/12/2013 19:00

Sorry. I love Olive as it was my Grandma's name. The only problem is that Olivia is v popular at the moment.

Not keen on Violet - it reminds me of Violet Beuregarde and Violet Elizabeth Bott - both a massive PITA!

NowPlayingZone · 29/12/2013 19:09

Violet, just because it's much nicer IMO!

Mumrose · 29/12/2013 19:17

Violet

everlong · 29/12/2013 19:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Rosencrantz · 29/12/2013 20:24

I love both. Very to my taste, but only as middle names. Not too sure why.

phoolani · 29/12/2013 20:25

Love love violet. My favourite kind of name: unusual without being made up. Olive just makes me think of On the Buses. Which I was too young to ever actually watch, so it's weird.

Tibby2 · 29/12/2013 20:49

I would vote Olive i think its a pretty name without being too sickly. Violet sounds too close to violent for me.

DramaAlpaca · 29/12/2013 20:50

Violet is lovely.

Olive is old fashioned & ugly. I like Olivia though.

Bonsoir · 29/12/2013 20:51

Violet or Livia

NorbertDentressangle · 29/12/2013 20:53

Violet.

I really don't like Olive - makes me think of Olive from 'On the Buses' (not an attractive woman for those who are too young to remember the programme!).

Ullapull · 29/12/2013 20:57

I prefer Olive! I like how old fashioned it sounds. Classic. I don't like Violet much as it's too girly/feminine and what if it doesn't suit your daughter?

Bluestocking · 29/12/2013 20:57

I am not keen on either. Olive is just inextricably associated with Olive Oyl for me, and Violet will always be pronounced Vi'let, unless you and all your friends, family and associates are Shakespearean actors who give words all their syllables.
I've recently met two little Olives, both children of hipster parents, so I think it's about to make a comeback - if that is of any relevance!

snowed · 29/12/2013 21:00

Violet. It's a flowing sound with a nice meaning.

Olive is a salty snack and sounds dumpy. Olivia is much nicer.