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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Thoughts on Olive...

113 replies

sophiepumpkin · 17/07/2016 20:45

We have had the name Martha picked for our baby girl, due soon, for a long time. I've recently had a wobble because I've met a few other Martha's and the name appears to be gaining in popularity. I am very taken with Olive but wondered what the consensus is, it seems to be a love it or hate it one. Thoughts on the names much appreciated.

OP posts:

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TroysMammy · 24/07/2016 19:29

I never even thought of Delia Smith just the girl in my school. Thought it was a better name than Delilah.

MadameCholetsDirtySecret · 24/07/2016 19:29

I dont like Olive again because of OTB. I also dont like Mabel. It is a harsh sounding name.

I love Olivia.

WaitrosePigeon · 24/07/2016 19:25

I love it!

ifcatscouldtalk · 24/07/2016 17:29

Choose whatever you love. You will always get conflicting opinions on any name. I'm not overly mad on Olive but you probably wouldn't fall in love with my daughter's name.I always think gathering lots of opinions makes the decision harder.

MargotLovedTom · 24/07/2016 16:34

I know a Delia too; nice lady, does a lot of cooking .

Sorry to be facetious. It's difficult when slightly less common names are indelibly associated with well known people or characters in popular culture or history.

TroysMammy · 24/07/2016 15:50

I know a Delia but she's not a baby anymore , late 40's.

MrsJoeyMaynard · 24/07/2016 15:22

Both times with my DC, we had a shortlist by the time baby arrived, but we didn't make the final decision on names until after we'd met the DC.

Original poster

sophiepumpkin · 24/07/2016 15:04

It's an utter nightmare!!!!!! I'm entirely consumed by this decision, my hormones are wild. I think it's going to be a case of waiting to meet her.

OP posts:

MrsJoeyMaynard · 24/07/2016 14:08

Delilah does have unfortunate connotations.

Lilah sounds quite pretty.

MargotLovedTom · 24/07/2016 14:04

But then she'll have everyone going "Why, why whyyyyyyyyyy Delilah?" .

Original poster

sophiepumpkin · 24/07/2016 13:59

I'd never heard of Olive on the buses...have since googled her. It's unfortunate both DH and I wear glasses, seems a high chance she might need to.

We've gone off Martha due to the numbers we've met recently.

Currently considering Delilah as an option, shortened to Lilah maybe.

OP posts:

harderandharder2breathe · 24/07/2016 13:46

I really don't like it, Martha is much nicer

I know a couple but not super popular (although I really only know school age kids)

soundsystem · 24/07/2016 13:12

I'm not massively keen. It feels a bit... sludgy, because of the colour. I prefer Martha, but it is definitely more popular.

That said, I know a toddler Olive (18 months) and I do like the name much better on actually meeting one (if that makes sense!)

WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 24/07/2016 12:19

I wasn't born until 1976 but definetely saw On The Buses on terrestrial tv as a child. Must have been repeats but it was on a lot when I was primary school age.

MargotLovedTom · 24/07/2016 10:45

MrsJoeyMaynard - she was a well known character though, because she had a distinctive look with those glasses and hair clip. A bit like how loads of people knew what Hilda Ogden looked like (and associated the name with her) even if they didn't watch Coronation Street.

mum2Bomg · 24/07/2016 08:16

Love Martha and Olive. They're both lovely x

NattyTile · 24/07/2016 07:57

I like Olave, especially if you have a link to Guiding (Baden Powell's wife and World Chief Guide).

MrsJoeyMaynard · 24/07/2016 07:39

I've only ever heard of On The Buses in Baby Name threads on mumsnet. I looked it up on Wikipedia before - it originally finished airing in 1974, but has been repeated on ITV3 in recent years.

I'm always astounded by the number of people who bring this sitcom up as a reason to not call a baby Olive.

ThursdayLastWeek · 24/07/2016 07:29

I'm in my mid 30s and have only heard of On The Buses, never seen it, am not able to picture any of the characters. I would be surprised if many folk younger than me have even heard of it.

I like the name Olive, it's not my favourite.
I know a few Martha's though, which puts me off it.

(I do quite like the old fashioned names trend though. I have boys, which was trickier)

TrappedNerve · 24/07/2016 07:27

I have an Oliver but take the "r" off and I hate the name Olive , don't know why I just do, sounds so old.

However, I received negative vibes about his name as wasn't that popular 13/14 yrs ago and recently was number 1 boys name so go with what you like as I did, even ex mil hated his name ( still denies saying that to this day )

Bluesand1 · 24/07/2016 07:26

I like it and have heard of 1 baby Olive

Sendmylove · 24/07/2016 07:21

A joke name sorry op, for anyone who remembers On the Buses although I loved the character.

WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 24/07/2016 07:16

I met a brand new, few days old baby Olive the other day. Wasn't yours was it OP?

MargotLovedTom · 24/07/2016 02:44

I loves olives though .

MargotLovedTom · 24/07/2016 02:43

Yep. On The Buses. I'm 'only' 43 . Olivia has a lovely Italianate sound but Olive is frumpy IMO.
Prefer Martha out of your two original choices.

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