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Baby names

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

Original poster

Imogen or Octavia

80 replies

2und3r2 · 09/07/2018 20:13

36 weeks now and still completely torn over our 2 girls names so would love some feedbackto help us decide.

For a long time we’ve been set on Imogen but recently my husband’s become increasingly keen on the name Octavia - which he’s always liked but thinks especially fitting for an August baby. I like it too but worried it sounds a bit pretentious - what do others think? Only concern with Imogen is has it become too popular? Any thoughts much appreciated plus opinions on which of the 2 you prefer? Thanks x

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Original poster
2und3r2 · 26/07/2018 09:24

Thanks ladies - good to see support for both of the names - think will just wait till I meet little one & see what she looks like.

OP posts:
KirstenRaymonde · 13/07/2018 11:02

I love them both, but Imogen is too popular for me to use now (and I think my DB might use it) Octavia definitely on my list.

It was a name long before it was a car. I would never think of the car first. See also Mercedes, the company was named after the founder’s daughter. Lots of names are also the names of other things.

daisypond · 13/07/2018 10:50

I would never think Octavia and Skoda. I've had to google it to find out the link!

KokoandAllBall · 13/07/2018 00:15

I cant really hear Octavia without thinking 'Skoda' tbh.

Oh, yes there is that...

Pandora, OP?

MariaMadita · 12/07/2018 23:46

I've recently met a little Odessa. It's a really lovely name imo.

I like Octavia but definitely prefer Imogen.

userxx · 12/07/2018 23:21

My mum wanted to call me Octavia, I'm soooooo glad she was overruled.

Essexgirlupnorth · 12/07/2018 23:14

Imogen over Octavia for me

FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast · 12/07/2018 23:14

if you like Tavy you could just call her Teifi (pron Tavy) which is a river in Wales. Seriously, I know a girl called this.

FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast · 12/07/2018 23:12

I cant really hear Octavia without thinking 'Skoda' tbh.

Appuskidu · 12/07/2018 23:11

Both just make me think of Jilly Cooper!! Very pony club. Harriet?

Corcra · 12/07/2018 23:07

Imogen is lovely. Or Odessa?

Picknickers · 12/07/2018 23:07

nn Tavy obvs

Picknickers · 12/07/2018 23:06

My brother's birth date is 8 8 81!
Octavia is lovely. I knew one with no Tavy. You're falling over Imogens here.

StepsRoadmum · 12/07/2018 22:40

Imogen but just because my husband drives an Octavia so that's all I would think of.

BoyInTheOven · 12/07/2018 22:37

FWIW I know an Octavia (mid 30's) she is lovely and absolutely in no way affected or pretentious. It's an underused name but I think it's lovely. I also like Imogen but I feel it doesn't have the 'snap' of Octavia

YoucancallmeVal · 12/07/2018 22:13

Octavia is gorgeous. Slightly yes to pretentious but who cares!! Know one who as an adult is known as Tavi which is lush.

Pemba · 12/07/2018 22:13

I quite like Octavia (nickname could be Tavy), I suppose it makes a change from Olivia.

I'd probably choose Imogen though.

Amethystical · 12/07/2018 22:08

Octavia. Never met one!

Singlenotsingle · 12/07/2018 22:07

Not planning on having eight children, OP? Oh, g'wan, g'wan, you know you want to! Then you can call the eighth one Octavia (or Octavus if it's a boy). Grin

Lobsterquadrille2 · 12/07/2018 22:02

Love Octavia.

Like Imogen but there are masses of them, and all known as Immy or Midge. My DD (now 20) had four in her year.

Nagaram · 12/07/2018 22:00

Octavias are very good cars with an enormous boot.
I think they may be around for a while yet so you may get a few Skoda jokes.

KokoandAllBall · 12/07/2018 21:56

I also think Imogen is a drip of a name, sorry, but I know a grown one, definitely a bit of a drip.

If it must be one of the two I'd choose Octavia. At least it sounds strong.

Pandora, Harriet and Prudence are three other Jilly Cooper books, it sounds like your taste in names lines up very well with hers!

itsallgoneshitflavoured · 12/07/2018 20:55

Imogen is awful. I agree that it's a very drippy weak name.
Octavia, on the other hand, is lovely. Ottie is a great nn.

Original poster
2und3r2 · 12/07/2018 20:30

No but due in August - 8th month in 2018 - plus liked the name & definitely not planning on having 8 children.

OP posts:
Singlenotsingle · 12/07/2018 17:27

Octavia means Number 8. Is she your 8th child?