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Baby names

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

Original poster

Oliva or Olivella

88 replies

joieria · 31/07/2021 14:17

Do you prefer Oliva or Olivella for a girl?

We've ruled out Olivia because it's too popular but Olive seems too plain for us. We have Spanish links and want to choose between these two names but can't decide!

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cheesecrackerz · 03/08/2021 17:35

Livya or Livia

Definitely not the 2 in the title

ancientgran · 03/08/2021 17:31

@joieria

I am considering Lydia, I quite like that actually. I like olive but DH thinks it's a bit plain, olivera seems like a surname to me.
I think Lydia is a lovely name. I think it's a name that is pretty but also dignified and grown up if that makes sense.
ladycarlotta · 03/08/2021 17:26

@joieria

To be fair, Oliva and Olivella are places in Spain near to a place that is important to us, they're not just made up words.
if this is the case then Olivella works best I think - Oliva does sound like Oliver in most British accents. Have you considered Livia?
EllaBlaire · 03/08/2021 15:39

@joieria

To be fair, Oliva and Olivella are places in Spain near to a place that is important to us, they're not just made up words.
I see what you’re saying, but if they’re not used as names it would be like naming your child Manchester or Gloucestershire.

Olivia and Lydia are both lovely, I would go with one of them.

applesarethebest · 03/08/2021 15:34

Hi OP, I'm afraid to say I agree with all the posters who suggest sticking with Olivia. Even top 10 names aren't that common in "real life", certainly not once you leave school anyway!

Yours, a girl with the #1 name the year I was born, which has been in the top 10 for years Smile (recently knocked out though, I think!!)

My DH also has a very common name, and we've chosen the same for our DS, although his veryyy traditional name has dropped down the list in favour of more modern ones it seems! Similar to the case with Olivia, no one has ever asked how to spell or pronounce it, and it has numerous nicknames to choose from if you wanted.

Or, you could use Oliva or Olivella as a middle name?

Original poster
joieria · 03/08/2021 13:18

To be fair, Oliva and Olivella are places in Spain near to a place that is important to us, they're not just made up words.

OP posts:
KeflavikAirport · 03/08/2021 12:45

Olivette, as in Olivette Otele who is a fab role model.

Tal45 · 03/08/2021 12:44

Why take Olivia and then ruin it? Olivia is just fine as it is no need to mess with it. I loathe made up names that people think sound 'unique'.

tsmainsqueeze · 03/08/2021 12:14

Both difficult to pronounce and will definitely get called olivia anyway.
Also sound like an olive oil spread.

Darkchocolateandcoffee · 03/08/2021 12:07

Oliverellarellarellarellarocknrolla is quite nice, plus it retains the Spanish link

Original poster
joieria · 03/08/2021 12:06

I am considering Lydia, I quite like that actually. I like olive but DH thinks it's a bit plain, olivera seems like a surname to me.

OP posts:
Urghhhhh · 03/08/2021 09:32

They both sound silly and made up. Sorry OP, i think you need to go back to the drawing board :(

How bout Olivera or Otilia?

Needapoodle · 03/08/2021 09:04

Olivia is fine.

RestingStitchFace · 03/08/2021 08:59

Olive is lovely. I know a little Olive and it's cute.

Agree with all the previous comments about Olivella sounding like margarine....

peaceinourtime · 03/08/2021 06:48

Go with Olivia if you want to use it. I know a young Olyvia, it looks stupid and the child goes by Oly.

GettingItOutThere · 01/08/2021 22:14

neither. bloody awful

poor kid will spend her life justifying her name. Just give her a normal name

reminds me of calling a kid "haven" on here. Why do parents need to be different!

olidora63 · 01/08/2021 22:00

Olive is a beautiful name 💕

DipperandMabel · 01/08/2021 21:58

What about Lydia? Instead of the slightly silly suggestions, Lydia is a similar sounding name, not silly and is beautiful. Still fairly popular but not as popular as Olivia.

Also, Olive is nice too and not overly popular either. I’m not sure why Olive is being dismissed….

Elderflower14 · 01/08/2021 21:45

@PoshWatchShitShoes

Olivella sounds like a cheap margarine product 🤔
Exactly what I came to say.. Sounds like Olivio!!
Foxhasbigsocks · 01/08/2021 21:42

Olivia or Olive would be ok

Foxhasbigsocks · 01/08/2021 21:41

Op, I’m really sorry but I don’t think those names will work in the UK.

HoliHormonalTigerlilly · 01/08/2021 21:36

Love Olive!

PoshWatchShitShoes · 01/08/2021 21:21

Olivella sounds like a cheap margarine product 🤔

DrDetriment · 01/08/2021 21:20

@debwong I immediately thought Frogmella too Smile.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 01/08/2021 21:18

If you really want an "Olive" name and Olivia is too popular for you, then of the other ones you've suggested Olivine sounds the best to me OP - I think most people would guess it's pronounced "Oli - veen" (like better known Alexandrine) and it has a nice enough sound imo.

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