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Original poster

Vivian boy/girl?

38 replies

Leeloo1233 · 01/06/2021 07:05

I love the name Vivian for a girl. It is strictly a girl's name in Scandinavia, but a boy's name in France.

How about in the UK? Is it more like a uni-sex name like Darcy or definitely a boy's name? What would you think if you'd meet a girl Vivian? The spelling Vivienne is not an option for us due to pronounciation.

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Chilldonaldchill · 03/06/2021 08:52

I only know a couple (both born in the 70s) but they are girls. Both spelt Vivien though and I was at school with a couple of Viviennes.
I think I'd assume any Vivian was a girl unless they had a very French/European surname in which case I'd probably wonder...

Phyllis321 · 03/06/2021 07:32

Vyvyan?

Vivian boy/girl?
Vivian boy/girl?
shallIswim · 03/06/2021 07:26

I know 2 circa 60 year old male Vivians - both known as the blokey 'Viv'
Neither particularly attractive characters but that's besides the point!

TheCheeseAlarm · 03/06/2021 07:16

It's DS2's middle name (after his granddad). I love it for a boy but was talked out of using it for a first name which I still regret and he's 20!

It is definitely more usually used for girls though.

AuntieStella · 03/06/2021 07:15

Spelt Vivian then a boy, but I have come across a girl given the masculine form

Vivienne is definitely a girl

From the sound, it's unisex.

Bit like Leslie and Lesley

BikeRunSki · 03/06/2021 07:12

I went to primary school in the 1970swith a make, French Vivian, and secondary school in the 1980s with a different male Vivian. My time at secondary school completely coincided with Viv Richard’s glory years and the original broadcasts of The Young Ones, so all the Vivian/Vyvyans I’ve know are male. My sister lives in France and her old man neighbour is also Vivian. I realise I’m in the minority, but I’ve never come across a female Vivian/Vivien apart from Ms Leigh.

SummeHoliday · 03/06/2021 07:06

Clive James started life as Vivian Grin

Fyredraca · 03/06/2021 06:58

They'll spend their life spelling it for people.
One of my female friends is Vivian.

sashh · 03/06/2021 06:53

Morning all.

Well F and F are off again today but have helpfully made up picnic baskets and flasks.

I'm just going to have a coffee in the garden and watch the kitten bees.

itssquidstella · 02/06/2021 17:26

It's unisex but VERY old-fashioned for a boy (shame, because I love it).

zingally · 02/06/2021 17:15

Would never have known it was unisex... I'd always have assumed girl.

sashh · 02/06/2021 11:57

In the young ones it was Vyvyan. Misses point of thread

Missillusioned · 02/06/2021 09:52

Even in The Young Ones in the 80s Vivian was teased by the other characters for having a girls name.

KirstenBlest · 02/06/2021 09:48

@Poorlykitten, I agree, and so is Viviana.

The -ana names are mostly IMO ugly. All I hear is the first but then the AHNuh, which isn't a nice sound.

Poorlykitten · 02/06/2021 09:11

Vivianna is a terrible name. 😂

partyatthepalace · 01/06/2021 19:37

It’s technically unisex but I think it’s very rare for a boy now

Vivien or Vivienne is the usual female spelling in the UK these days. It seems to be starting to lift in popularity.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 01/06/2021 13:42

In the UK, technically it's supposed to be Vivien for a girl (like actress Vivien Leigh , who interestingly was born Vivian and changed the spelling).

However you will only occasionally meet male Vivian's here now (and certainly no young ones Smile). Like Evelyn, Vivien/Vivian has gone pretty much entirely to the girls side. I think it's a lovely name - retro/vintage but fits in with the popular V heavy names (Ava, Evelyn, Evie etc).

TatianaBis · 01/06/2021 12:24

I like the name Viva (pronounced Veeva).

RuthW · 01/06/2021 12:15

I know it's unisex but definitely female to me.

Potcallingkettle · 01/06/2021 12:04

What about Viviana?

Lemur12 · 01/06/2021 12:04

I only know one Vivian - a man, who must be in his 50s by now. So, I'd assume a man, but it's not that common, so I wouldn't be shocked by a girl being called Vivian. Vivienne would definitely be a girl.

bridgetreilly · 01/06/2021 11:59

Viviane would be better for a girl if you can't use Vivienne.

I would assume Vivian was a boy.

Amdone123 · 01/06/2021 10:20

It's mainly used for girls I think. Though my first thought was Viv Richards, the cricketer.

KirstenBlest · 01/06/2021 09:57

Old man's name.

Vivien or Vivienne will be Viv.

Posieandpip · 01/06/2021 08:18

Very much a girl's name these days!