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Baby names

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

Original poster

I can’t have Olive can I :(

296 replies

MrsB2019x · 27/09/2024 20:16

18 weeks with a baby girl.
I adore the name Olive but our surname is Brown.
Olive Brown.
It’s a bit too Dulux colour chart isn’t it :(

Any other suggestions welcome! (Or change my mind and convince me Olive Brown isn’t ridiculous 😅)

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BunnyLake · 27/09/2024 22:18

OnYourTogs · 27/09/2024 21:59

Do young women still change their name? I'm 60 and didn't change mine so kind of amazed it's still a thing.

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I think it would depend how much they prefer their own name or their husband’s.

WestwardHo1 · 27/09/2024 22:18

Whichoneisthebest · 27/09/2024 21:32

Can’t do Eva Brown. Sounds too much like Eva Braun.

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It doesn't sound too much like Eva Braun. It sounds exactly like Eva Braun! Braun in German is pronounced Brown.

Don't call your kid Eva Brown/Braun!

Ellerby83 · 27/09/2024 22:16

Not keen on Olive it reminds me of On the buses, Olive Oyl, Olive oil and olives. Agree that Olive Brown does sound like a colour and is a bit dreary.

Definitely avoid Eva

ThisTimeNextWeekDavid · 27/09/2024 22:16

I find it unbelievably drab.

Olive - sludgy browny green
Brown - actual brown (and I’m a happy brunette!).

Dull, drab and depressing.

I’d go for a BIG name with a surname such as Brown.

Persephone Brown
Felicity Brown
Josephine Brown
Philippa Brown
Agatha Brown
Anastasia Brown
Lyra Brown

TortillaChipAddict · 27/09/2024 22:15

You could go for a similar feel of name like Caper, Artichoke or Cheese Cube

Mumwithbaggage · 27/09/2024 22:12

Quite similar to my dd's name though she's chosen to take mine and dh's name. Been married 36 years but never used my married name. Lots of people used to call her Olive (she's Olivia).

SweetSakura · 27/09/2024 22:10

beenwhereyouare · 27/09/2024 22:06

Olive Brown is lovely, and TBH I wouldn't think of it as a color. Not even sure what color olive brown would be.

Did you not picture this colour? I did.

I can’t have Olive can I :(
Garlicnaan · 27/09/2024 22:09

Viola is almost an anagram of Olive?

Ola

Uma

Orla

Romily

Elva

Vida

Eve

Evelyn

Elva

Clover

Toastghost · 27/09/2024 22:06

I think it works fine actually

beenwhereyouare · 27/09/2024 22:06

Olive Brown is lovely, and TBH I wouldn't think of it as a color. Not even sure what color olive brown would be.

diddl · 27/09/2024 22:04

I quite like it.

Much prefer it to Olivia.

What names does your husband like?

EllyGi · 27/09/2024 22:04

I agree Olivia is a banal name. Also i associate it to nicknames like Olympia and Octavia so wouldn't do it to my child :D

There are so many beautiful names - Serafina, Violet, Kaia, Eleanor, Amelia, Madeleine.

Just Google some actresses names for inspiration lol or Disney princesses ;)

And huge congrats as well <3 enjoy your pregnancy!

RogersOrganismicProcess · 27/09/2024 22:02

Olive Brown is a lovely strong name.

if DH doesn’t go for it how about Elif Brown (sounds similar)

MargaretThursday · 27/09/2024 22:02

I'm afraid I immediately thought of the song Golden Brown by the Stranglers:

Spasisters · 27/09/2024 22:02

Love Olive Brown ❤️

Will always be people who love/hate no matter what you choose. Just make sure you pick something you love.

SweetSakura · 27/09/2024 22:01

OnYourTogs · 27/09/2024 21:59

Do young women still change their name? I'm 60 and didn't change mine so kind of amazed it's still a thing.

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I changed just because I really liked my husband's surname 🤷‍♀️. I am very much a feminist but was glad of the excuse to switch surname from one I didn't like much.

And I quite liked that people couldn't Google my entire life.

dutysuite · 27/09/2024 22:01

I think it sounds dull sorry. I like Liv though.

MuchasSmoochas · 27/09/2024 22:01

It’s lovely OP, go for it.

Delphiniumandlupins · 27/09/2024 21:59

Olwen
Evelyn
Vivienne
Avery

SweetSakura · 27/09/2024 21:59

Alice sounds similar but is much prettier and more classic.

Or Maeve perhaps?

Olive is an awful name, I expect she will be glad to be spared that.

OnYourTogs · 27/09/2024 21:59

JC03745 · 27/09/2024 20:20

What about Olive or Olivia as a middle name? She may not always have Brown as a surname also.

Do young women still change their name? I'm 60 and didn't change mine so kind of amazed it's still a thing.

LittleTalkingMan · 27/09/2024 21:57

How about pronouncing it as O-lave (as in Olave Baden Powell)

Whodathoughtit2 · 27/09/2024 21:56

shakemyheadatyou · 27/09/2024 21:39

Yes, but no one is going to be having a baby at 63, are they? The ‘younger parents’ comment makes it sound like only parents in their 20s will not have heard of On the Buses, but actually it’s pretty unlikely anyone having a baby now will have heard of it,
or be familiar with the character.

I had a baby last year at 40 and have heard of 'on the buses'. I think I might even have seen it. At least clips

Shessweetbutapsycho · 27/09/2024 21:56

Olive is a great name! Go for it- I think you’re overthinking the link with your surname

FWIW I’ve never understood the point of choosing another name (ie Olivia) when the child will only ever be known by a different name (Olive)… just go with the name you love

YeahWellWhyNot · 27/09/2024 21:55

Wouldn't bother me. Olive is a lovely name. My children are double barrelled with 2 complicated surnames, so although their first names are v.common, their surnames are frequently commented on..but it's like water off a ducks back now. It's not a problem for us. People will find fault with just about anything nowadays, if you like it, go for it.

And congrats!