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Baby names

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

Original poster

Who is still naming their babies Oliver and Olivia?

231 replies

Algor1thm · 20/10/2022 22:07

Controversial... but really...

I work in a job where I meet lots of little kids and there are just so, so many. Half my friends are also married to or dating Ollies so it's not even limited to one generation. Does it being the top name for so long really not put people off?

I am aware that Oliver was recently knocked off the top spot, but still.

I'm also aware that this is going to be unpopular because approximately 50% of you probably have one yourself 😂

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woff45 · 20/10/2022 22:29

I actually don't know any Oliver/Ollies, one Olivia. Harry is the most over used boy name I know.

DietrichandDiMaggio · 20/10/2022 22:28

I'm surprised so many of your friends have partners called Oliver, because when we used it 30 years ago it really wasn't that common/popular.

Lindengericht · 20/10/2022 22:28

Idratherbepaddleboarding · 20/10/2022 22:10

I do 🤷‍♀️. He’s 13 and Oli suits him down to the ground. He’s never actually called Oliver though.

Same!

Haycorns4Piglet · 20/10/2022 22:27

I've worked with children for 15 years and I can count the Olivers/Olivias on one hand. I scratch my head over them supposedly being the most common names for so long.

Ihatethenewlook · 20/10/2022 22:26

I’ve known two Olivia’s and one Ollie in my life. In one class of 29 pupils in my eldest DD’s school there’s 4 Joshua’s (and no I’m not exaggerating) and 3 lexi may/maes. Just name your kid what you want to name your kid

Shelbellsanddoodles · 20/10/2022 22:24

I don't know any of either name, around here the girls are all Lilly and boys are Aaron. DC go to a tiny school (22 kids in total) and we had 3 Aaron all with different spelling.

Whatthefuck3456 · 20/10/2022 22:23

i can’t stand the name Olivia I don’t understand why people use it

FKATondelayo · 20/10/2022 22:23

They are both lovely names and popular for a reason. Most of the Olivers/Olivias I know are middle aged but we have loads of kids in our family with these as middle names because my GM was Olive.

Birthdaycake25 · 20/10/2022 22:22

Because they are nice names? There's a reason they are so popular. And it doesn't bother me that they are common. Some people want unique names, some people want a normal name.
I don't understand why people want a weird name that no one's ever heard of and can't spell!

ncncncnc123 · 20/10/2022 22:21

I'm not sure everyone cares that much about name popularity tbh. It wasn't on my list of considerations when choosing my kids' names. And clearly not as I have a Jack! Grin

Lyndsb · 20/10/2022 22:21

I think Ava is more overused than Olivia.

Lyndsb · 20/10/2022 22:20

I know one Olivia and she is 50. I don't know any Olivers.

Indigokitten · 20/10/2022 22:20

Well personally I named my son 25 years ago when it wasn’t that popular at all.
Not sure why you’re bothered what others are naming their children tbh?

Tailfeather · 20/10/2022 22:19

I've only ever met Oliver in 45 years! And 2 Olivias.

PrioritiseCalm · 20/10/2022 22:18

I prefer Olive.

underneaththeash · 20/10/2022 22:17

Thinking about it -none of my friends have Olivers or Olivias either,

Puddlepup · 20/10/2022 22:17

I wouldn’t use them due to how popular they are but I do like both names and agree with PP they go with most surnames

shakeitoffshakeacocktail · 20/10/2022 22:17

I work in a school and there are some but not loads

Much more Harry's, Riley's, Taylor's, Alexa, Crystal, Layla or variations of these

DorritLittle · 20/10/2022 22:16

Olivia is a very pretty name. I hardly know any.

Neverfullycharged · 20/10/2022 22:16

But also I don’t think people care about a names popularity.

My only hesitation over using a very popular name is that it can sound so dated in the future - like Clare and Leanne and Deborah do now. But Olivia has been popular so long I’m not sure that’s an issue.

FWIW if I was given free choice with names I’d go for Flora and Nathaniel but DH doesn’t like either.

underneaththeash · 20/10/2022 22:16

i only know one Oliver among my 3 children’s friends. no Olivias. Kids are 17,15 and 11.
I have one Olivia at brownies.

bloodywhitecat · 20/10/2022 22:15

People who like the names.

Do I have one? No.
Do I like the names? I like Oliver but am less keen on Olivia.

DorritLittle · 20/10/2022 22:14

Well, it's only like every other man over 40 being called Dan or Simon. Nobody really notices or cares. It's also a nice name. Anyway there are only two in my son's class and I had seven Marks in mine.

Sleepyquest · 20/10/2022 22:14

I often wonder this. If you know it's the most popular name, why would you use it? Yet many people do! Baffles me

Neverfullycharged · 20/10/2022 22:14

I think when you and your partner struggle to find a name you both like something really nice but a bit pedestrian happens.

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