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Baby names

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

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.

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Ankleswingers · 24/07/2016 02:23

GrinwhoTheFuckIsSimon

That's what I thought of too

squoosh · 24/07/2016 02:17

Martha and Nell are both lovely names. Olive and Mabel are both hideous.

HTH.

elpth · 23/07/2016 22:59

Jennifer Saunders has a dog called Olive. Hopefully not one that pees and poos in the house though Smile

TroysMammy · 23/07/2016 22:01

Sorry I don't likeit. I know someone with a dog called Olive and it pees snd poos in the house.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 23/07/2016 22:00

Frumpy and dull

Judewatt · 23/07/2016 21:58

I have a 9 month old names Olive Harriet and we love it and it suits her perfectly. It's one of those love it or hate it names but we've only ever had positive comments about it. And she's anything but dreary! :-)

Sophronia · 18/07/2016 12:11

I like it but I prefer Martha

TheWindInThePillows · 18/07/2016 08:03

My connotations of Olive aren't that great, but I eat a lot of olives! I think it's about your connotations and if you like the sound of the name. I'm sure if I knew a little Olive I would start to feel more positive.

WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 18/07/2016 07:25

And I'm a midwife so I meet a lot of babies!

WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 18/07/2016 07:24

Made me think of on the buses straight away.

Olivia is much nicer but I prefer Martha the most. If it helps I don't know any baby/child Marthas.

Pipilangstrumpf · 18/07/2016 07:18

I'm surprised not everyone thinks of of an olive...?!

HettyB · 18/07/2016 07:17

I like both Olive and Martha. If it makes any difference, I've never met a baby Martha (though have met a 3 year old one), but have met a couple of baby Olives recently (London).

PippaPeppermint · 18/07/2016 07:13

I wouldn't worry about negative comments op. If youre looking for a name that's not widely used it will, by defailt, not be a popular choice, so it won't be liked by everyone. If you ask for honest opinions on the Internet you'll get honest opinions :-D

If you love it, go for it.

Pemba · 18/07/2016 01:38

Frumpy and makes you think of an olive, yes. Olivia is lovely though.

Martha would be much better.

Justdontaskhowiam · 17/07/2016 23:21

I know of siblings named olive and ivy, really sweet. I love mabel too.

RiverTam · 17/07/2016 23:19

God, Mabel is awful too. What is it with these frumpy dreary names?!

iwouldgoouttonight · 17/07/2016 22:27

We went for Violet in the end. But considered Olive, Mabel, Molly, Martha, Elsie, Dulcie, Ivy, Edith. Really like them all.

elpth · 17/07/2016 22:24

It's my middle name (named after my granny and great granny) but I used to hate it. Too old fashioned and SO much Popeye related bullying in school in the 1980s and 1990s.
But now I'm an adult and my granny is gone, I appreciate the family link and like being named after her and my GG. Despite the recent rise in popularity, if I tell anyone my middle name I still feel I need to "excuse" it by explaining it's a family name.
So that doesn't really answer your question, sorry!

doodlyfiddly · 17/07/2016 22:13

I've always found it quite an ugly name (and, yes, On the buses always springs to mind). I love Olivia though!

Original poster
sophiepumpkin · 17/07/2016 22:05

What did you go for iwouldgoouttonight? Or anyone else that considered using Olive? Pretty please?!

OP posts:
Tactfulcactus · 17/07/2016 21:48

Yep, On the buses. Dislike this a lot. Definitely not a pretty name. In the Mabel, Beryl etc. Group.

NorbertDentressangle · 17/07/2016 21:47

I'm sorry but I think it's an awful name and I can't see why it's become so popular. I know of a couple of Olives in the small town we live in.

My first thought is always Olive from On The Buses which doesn't help.

iwouldgoouttonight · 17/07/2016 21:44

Love it. Considered Olive for DD and didn't in the end but kind of wish we'd gone for it, she's ended up with lovely olive skin too.

MrsJoeyMaynard · 17/07/2016 21:43

It just makes me think of the food (is it a fruit or a vegetable?) olive.

VanillaSugar · 17/07/2016 21:42

I love Mabel toooo!!!