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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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Ilovekittyelise · 29/12/2013 23:06

both times we have known its a boy and had loads of girls names we both liked; im sure if it was a girl all those names would suddenly be wrong for one reason or another.

violet was one we both liked before we knew our first boy was a boy. sometimes i love it sometimes i dont. but its not ava or evie or olivia which is a definite plus!

Thesebootsweremadeforwalking · 29/12/2013 23:02

I like Violet because I know a fabulous one, but I have misspelled it as Violent more than once in text messages Blush and it does make me think a little of Violet Elizabeth Bott.

Olive is a drab green and therefore a rubbish name for a beautiful baby girl IMHO, though I do quite like Olivia.

Lebkuchenlover · 29/12/2013 22:47

I'd say Vee-ola.

Original poster
HowAboutNo · 29/12/2013 22:24

And it would be just my luck that after weeks of saying it must be a boy because I can't find a girl's name that, alas, it's a girl!

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Original poster
HowAboutNo · 29/12/2013 22:23

ilovekitty see, I had a boys name all lined up but it's girls names that I find impossible!

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Ilovekittyelise · 29/12/2013 22:15

i dont mind olive but its my grans name and aged 83 she still cant get over it, she detests it, so on that basis id say no: quite a lot of people seem to dislike it and your daughter might be one of them!

on the fence about violet. trudy? erin? scarlett? i also love lydia. rosalie? clara? rosanna? naomi?

my minds going numb. we are struggling with a name for our second son; so many more girls names!

nkf · 29/12/2013 22:09

I never know how Viola is pronounced. Is it Vee-ola or Vie-ola>

Lebkuchenlover · 29/12/2013 22:06

Yes, Viola is lovely and imo even prettier than Violet!

EeyoreIsh · 29/12/2013 22:06

I love violet, and it was my granny's name. She, however, hated it!

ErrolTheDragon · 29/12/2013 22:02

No to Olive for the reasons already given (esp the Olive Oyl)

Violet is pretty - they're such lovely fragrant little flowers - or Viola

Lebkuchenlover · 29/12/2013 21:56

A choice between a beautiful flower and an oily black olive....?!
Definately Violet for me! Really dislike olive.

Tikkamasala · 29/12/2013 21:50

Violet because it is just nicer. Olive is a bit unappealing to me, I think of an actual olive as in the food or it makes me think of someone a bit quirky who wears clumpy shoes and old cardigans Confused (sorry!)

Similar (IMO) names that I prefer, iris, ivy, Coraline..

iwouldgoouttonight · 29/12/2013 21:46

If Olive feels right I'd go for it. Once its your childs name you completely forget any other associations and the name is just theirs iyswim. I couldn't imagine my Olive being called anything else. I think its a cool name.

Original poster
HowAboutNo · 29/12/2013 21:38

nkf love love love Lydia but knew one at school who was called Lydia Chlamydia... Maybe it'd be different now?!

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nkf · 29/12/2013 21:36

How about Lydia? Has the same sort of Roman feel to it.

Original poster
HowAboutNo · 29/12/2013 21:35

Thanks everyone. Can't have Olivia, wayyy too popular round here but very pretty.

iwouldgoout love those but can't use as they are friends or friend's babies!

Oh I really just don't know. Back to the drawing board. FWIW, when I thought of Olive, it just made me smile and feel happy. Weird right?

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iwouldgoouttonight · 29/12/2013 21:14

I've only just realised Olive and Violet are anagrams of each other (apart from the the T!). Other names with similar sounds:
Eva
Ivy
Evelyn
Erin

nkf · 29/12/2013 21:07

I love Violet and Olivia but not Olive. Why? Not sure. I like flower names. And Olivia has a pleasing melody to it.

StrawberryMojito · 29/12/2013 21:06

Violet and Olivia both very pretty names.

There is nothing lovely sounding about Olive.

iwouldgoouttonight · 29/12/2013 21:05

I have an olive and if I had another DD she'd be a violet or a Florence. I love both names, which is no help to you at all! Olive makes me think of Mediterranean olive groves and relaxing in the sunshine. I know one other olive and a couple of violets.

Other names I like are Connie, Martha, dulcie, Edith/edie.

NigellasGuest · 29/12/2013 21:04

they are both lovely names.
sleepingbeautiful I agree, Viola is also a lovely name.

sleepingbeautiful · 29/12/2013 21:02

Violet is nicer. A pretty flower and colour. Although doesn't have a lot of strength to it. (shrinking violet?) I also like Viola.

Olive is not a fruit or colour I'd want to be named after. The name makes me picture a nerdy, unattractive girl. I know it's making a comeback though. Drew Barrymore used it too.

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.

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!

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?