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Baby names

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

Original poster

Ava - Too Popular?

83 replies

ForumUsername · 29/01/2018 16:05

Our little girl is nearly 10 days old and we haven't picked a name

We like Ava but it's very popular and that's putting us off
Is it silly to not go with it because it's popular?

Has anyone any other suggestions?
We want something classic but not overly used....

OP posts:
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LittleFryingPan · 29/01/2018 19:39

Mines an Ava. Only coming up to two but goes to a massive (200 odd kids up to 11 yrs) nursery and she's the only one. To say it's apparently so popular I haven't heard any other kids being shouted by her name in the park or out and about.

Do it if you love it

TheDowagerCuntess · 29/01/2018 19:23

The thing about popular names is that you, personally, might not know many, and your kids might not have anyone in the class (even school) with the name.

But that doesn't alter the fact that some names are very 'of their time', and will date.

See other popular names from past eras - Karen, Nicole, Sue, Jennifer, Claire, Michelle, Linda, etc.

If that doesn't bother you, then go for it.

It's a lovely name (now, to current ears), but popularity of a name definitely puts me off.

RavenWings · 29/01/2018 19:17

I teach, we are overrun with Ava/Eva etc. Nothing wrong with it as a name, but if you want rarely used it's not the way to go.

I liked the Ada/Anya suggestions. Ida?

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 29/01/2018 19:12

Ava is beautiful, I only know of one little girl, aged five.
Congratulations 🌺🌺🌺

raindropsandsunshine · 29/01/2018 18:45

None at our primary school! It's a lovely name.

Tissunnyupnorth · 29/01/2018 18:43

I only know one Ava, and none at our primary school! Lovely name!

Original poster
ForumUsername · 29/01/2018 18:38

Thanks for all the replies
We both really like it, I think it has an elegant feel to it (Ava Gardner)
I like how it would suit a little girl but also an adult Woman

I know it's popularity shouldn't influence me but it does

I like it spelt Eva ( like Eva longoria and Eva Green) but think we'll/she'll forever have to correct people from pronouncing it Ee-va

OP posts:
mum2be2boys · 29/01/2018 18:05

Ava is a lovely name! If you like it, go for it. I know it's apparently a very popular name, but I don't know any in real life. None in my eldest's reception intake of 60, or any in my youngest's baby groups. I've been teaching for 14 years and never had an Ava in my class either.

SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 29/01/2018 17:43

It's a great name OP!

MikeUniformMike · 29/01/2018 17:39

I think the OP should use it if she and the baby's father love it.
I said it was overused because to me it's one of those names that is made less attractive by being popular. I think there are prettier names.
It was in the top 10 for 2017, so the chances of being known as Ava Surname is quite high.

notacooldad · 29/01/2018 17:31

Everyone saying it is overused, well I work with young people and their families and I haven't come across one Ava
I'm meeting a lot of what people on hear call made up names names or usual names spelt in ways that nobody else has seen before.
Ava is lovely.

notacooldad · 29/01/2018 17:27

Why on earth does it matter if it's 'too popular'
If you both like it, which often is half the battle, pick it!
It really doesn't matter what other people on MN think ( including me!)

pinkmagic1 · 29/01/2018 17:25

It is a nice name but somewhat overused. What about Anya?

AnyaMoondial · 29/01/2018 17:20

Ava is nice.

How about Kate? I think it is very beautiful in its simplicity.

ChocolateCrunch · 29/01/2018 17:09

I don't know any Avas, but loads of Evas/Evies, so if that's the name you like, go for it

Annabelle4 · 29/01/2018 16:49

I don't think it's as popular now as it was a few years ago.

It's a beautiful name anyway.

Castlelough · 29/01/2018 16:49

My Ava is almost a year old now. I still absolutely adore her name, even though it was dh's suggestion and not on my own list. We haven't met any other baby Ava despite it's popularity and everyone always complements it. I don't really think Ava will date. It wasn't a "new" name to begin with and is fairly multicultural too. It is sweet, simple, classic and elegant all rolled into one. Good luck!

NewSingleMummy · 29/01/2018 16:47

Lovey name by very popular. 4 of them in my DD baby room alone at nursery

lizzlebizzle33 · 29/01/2018 16:40

Ten days and no name? Aww, just go with Ava, it's lovely. I'm sure in your head your already kind of calling her that and anything else may sound weird now.
Congratulations on your new baby!xx

SpottyBrolly · 29/01/2018 16:30

I don't know any, however I do knows a few Lunas the first time I heard the name 5 years ago but more now. Use it if you like it she'll be your Ava.

cptartapp · 29/01/2018 16:24

Too many. I live in NW and know loads. Ava's, Eva's, Ellie's, Ella's...
Emma would make a refreshing change.

IHaveBrilloHair · 29/01/2018 16:22

I think it will date.
It's a nice name, but it's a bit like Mia, Ella etc, a bit blah and very of its time.

Tattybogle89 · 29/01/2018 16:21

Don’t worry about popularity it just means more people will like her name.
She will be YOUR Ava with her own personality and it really doesn’t matter. Whatever you pick here will be people all over with the name so go with your heart

LexieLulu · 29/01/2018 16:19

I don't know a single Ava (I live in NW)

It's beautiful, you should use it if you love it

flybabyfly · 29/01/2018 16:15

I think it’s pretty, but I probably wouldn’t use it myself. Personally I’m not so concerned by popularity per se, but it will date...