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Original poster

Alternatives to Olivia?

37 replies

Moomin8 · 19/08/2019 10:50

I love this name but it has been so popular for the last 15 years that I feel using it would be unoriginal.

Or does that not matter?

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AverageMummy · 19/08/2019 22:39

Of course classics date. Peter, Michael, Steven, Deborah.....

Olivia is vowel heavy & the no 1 name. It will almost definitely fall out of favour with the next generation as each generation finds their parents choices the most uncool thing ever.

I just never understand why it matters though. If you meet a Barbara or a Colin you’re probably thinking of a certain age, but how would that ever negatively affect them? It would be different if you had a dated name from the wrong generation as people would react a lot - I’m sure 30 year old Barbaras get a lot of surprise.

dottyaboutstripes · 19/08/2019 22:32

I have an Olivia and I'm struggling to think of any others I know! I say go for it

NannyR · 19/08/2019 22:30

I love the name Olivia, for all it's popularity I only know of one Olivia under the age of twelve.

BillywilliamV · 19/08/2019 22:24

I have an Olivia, I know one other Olivia. It’s a beautiful name and you don’t actually come across it that often. They all become Liv when they are teenagers anyway!

Rainbowknickers · 19/08/2019 22:09

I wouldn’t worry too much about it being popular
When I had my first I went with Sophie which was no1 in the baby name charts of that year
I met another Sophie for the first time after having her 4 years later in a coffee shop
And have only met another 2 since (she’s 22 now)

Curlysusie · 19/08/2019 21:46

Elodie?

GRW · 19/08/2019 21:45

I know an Ottilia which sounds similar. I like Lydia.

Cyberworrier · 19/08/2019 21:45

Or Alvia? I had a very cool great aunt called Alvia 😎

Beanosaurus · 19/08/2019 21:42

My friends daughter is called Alivia which I really like, just a slight twist on the classic name.

Talkwhilstyouwalk · 19/08/2019 21:37

And....it's a classic. Classics don't date!

Talkwhilstyouwalk · 19/08/2019 21:35

I love it too. My DH says it's too popular but hoping I can convince him that it's only so popular because it's a beautiful name. Despite its popularity there still probably won't be more than one in a class.....

Cyberworrier · 19/08/2019 21:34

Olya (ohl-ya), Aurora?

Original poster
Moomin8 · 19/08/2019 21:31

Viola is lovely

OP posts:
fancytiles · 19/08/2019 21:30

Of you like Olivia just go for that!

Horseshoe1 · 19/08/2019 20:59

Sylvia / Sylvie
Eloisa
Alicia
Aurelia
Azalea

But I have a nearly 3 year old in London and haven't met an Olivia yet. I bet it’s going to go down in the name charts!

MikeUniformMike · 19/08/2019 20:39

I think it will be a name that will still be used but not be as wildly popular in a few years' time. A bit like Margaret, Elizabeth, Sarah, Rebecca etc.

An alternative might be Viola?

user1493494961 · 19/08/2019 20:01

Olivia is too classic to date. I agree, use it if this is the name you love, otherwise you may regret it.

LaPufalina · 19/08/2019 19:48

Ourania
Allegra
Emilia

Original poster
Moomin8 · 19/08/2019 19:44

Most names you can have a rough guess of the persons age, but You can’t with Olivia.

Excellent point!

OP posts:
bridgetreilly · 19/08/2019 18:44

Rosalind
Sophia
Cordelia
Juliet

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 19/08/2019 18:42

Yes it’s popular but It’s also not faddy.
It’s classic and will probably remain so.
It suits any class and age.
Most names you can have a rough guess of the persons age, but You can’t with Olivia.

Cookit · 19/08/2019 18:37

I don’t think it matters.

Yes it’s number 1 but it doesn’t seem all that common - I think because there isn’t a name like it.
Girls names seem to predominantly start with E or A and then the top 100 names is just filled with names that sound like each other - Emily, Emilia, Amelia, Amelie... Eva, Eve, Evie, Ava, Evelyn and Evangeline ... you get the idea. At least Olivia stands alone.

AverageMummy · 19/08/2019 11:54

It will date - when they’re 70 they’ll sound 70 but does that matter?
If you want a name that won’t date you need to avoid the current trends so names beginning and ending with vowel sounds especially a & y/ie at the end & avoid names beginning with vowels.

AverageMummy · 19/08/2019 11:52

Olivia is a beautiful name & although it’s number 1, it’s still under 1% of babies because the current fashion is to be as unique as possible. I would still use it - it’s a beautiful classic name.

IsobelRae23 · 19/08/2019 11:41

Layla, Amelia, Anastasia, Annalise,Brianna, Celeste, Daniela, Esme, Emily, Eliza, Freya, Giselle, Genevieve, Hallie, Imogen, Josephine, Lorna, Laura, Leah, Marnie, Nellie, Ottilie, Ophelia, Pandora, Savannah, Thalia, Tianna, Vivienne, Willow

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