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Baby names

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

Original poster

Olga?

79 replies

raindropsfallingdown · 23/08/2023 08:51

I really love the name Olga but husband thinks it’s too ‘harsh’ but I disagree. I think it’s a beautiful name. Thoughts?

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smooththecat · 25/08/2023 01:44

It’s a beautiful Slavic name. I don’t see it as harsh, it’s not exactly Hildebrand, is it? It’s similar to Inge, Helga. There’s also Olya and Olenka, which I believe are diminutives of Olga.

I do think of it as Slavic, but perhaps it’s well known enough in an English-speaking context.

WanderingWitches · 25/08/2023 01:32

Its horrid
Ugly and harsh sounding

minasmemory · 25/08/2023 00:47

Olga I love it, I find it quite beautiful myself. I've lived in Eastern Europe and love a lot of the names from that area but I agree with other posters that you will always struggle with how British people pronounce such names e.g. Ivan, should be I(as in the I in it)-van but will be pronounced Eye-van.

drunkpeacock · 25/08/2023 00:41

@Snugglemonkey why what's wrong with my suggestions? I feel quite hurt 😝

Snugglemonkey · 24/08/2023 22:18

drunkpeacock · 24/08/2023 01:09

... or
Olga-Mae
Olga-Louise
Olga-Rose
Olga-Tracey??

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I hope this is a joke. Or that you are drunk peacock.

Dinosauratemydaffodils · 24/08/2023 22:16

I like it. Considered it for dd as it was dh's grandmother's name but he wasn't keen for various reasons some of which are touched on here.

StBrides · 24/08/2023 22:08

I love it

Daisybuttercup12345 · 24/08/2023 22:05

Reminds me of ogle or ogre.
Quite harsh and not pretty imo.

urbanbuddha · 24/08/2023 14:53

Russian weightlifter to me too, sorry. How about Orla?

gooseduckchicken · 24/08/2023 14:50

I think it sounds quite harsh.

I love Olwyn though.

Willowcat77 · 24/08/2023 14:32

I think it's nice. When I think of Olga I see someone elegant, cultured and beautiful with lovely dark hair, for some reason. Alternatively, a clever guinea pig with personality!

Weefreetiffany · 24/08/2023 13:58

having a preference on a name is not racist. Saying a foreign name “sounds like projectile vomiting” is racist. And people in the U.K. are plenty racist to Slavs and Eastern Europeans so please practice some reading comprehension. Ps not all Russians are white so thanks for the additional erasure there.

RitzyMcFitzy · 24/08/2023 13:24

Saying that all Russian/Indian/Polish names are ugly is racist. Being of the opinion that one particular Russian/Indian/Polish name is ugly, isn't racist.

itsmyp4rty · 24/08/2023 13:17

Weefreetiffany · 24/08/2023 11:42

Yes to say a foreign name sounds like somebody vomiting is racist and vile.

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You're being ridiculous. Hating a name isn't racist no matter where the name comes from because it doesn't mean you hate that race. Plus it's a Russian name and Russians are white. It's not even xenephobic as hating the name doesn't mean you're prejudiced against people coming from there. Honestly there's real problems with racism in the world and you coming up with nonsense like this doesn't help.

itsmyp4rty · 24/08/2023 13:10

Olga is hard and ugly. I think it's really horrid.

Wheresthebeach · 24/08/2023 12:19

Hard no.

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 24/08/2023 12:17

I went to school with an Olga. She was very proud that it means 'holy' in Russian. 8 don't remember her being called Ogre.

EveSix · 24/08/2023 12:17

My Russian friend is called Olga, and it sounds much gentler than the English tend to say it, more like 'Ol-yah'.

LunaNorth · 24/08/2023 12:12

I only know one and she’s English. So no racism or xenophobia.

But my comment was over the top, so for that I apologise.

LunaNorth · 24/08/2023 12:10

Apologies for any offence caused.

IsadoraQuagmire · 24/08/2023 11:59

I like it. I know 2 Olgas (both English) one in her 20s and one I should think in her 60s.

Hermione101 · 24/08/2023 11:55

I love it, it was my eastern European grandmother's name. It does sound softer in a native EE tongue, it is a bit outdated though.

Caro678 · 24/08/2023 11:49

What aboit

Ola
Olympia
Ilaria
Elka
Helena
Isla
Elena
Odette
Una
Eva
Freya

KomodoDodo · 24/08/2023 11:45

I immediately think ‘da polga’. Olga da Polga was a book from my childhood. 😀

HalleLouja · 24/08/2023 11:42

Its my mum’s middle name and am pretty sure she used to get called Ogre. Nope nope nope.

Ps we aren’t Russian but come from a place where there is a lot of cross over in names.

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