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Original poster

Octavia

52 replies

SookieCookie · 26/11/2024 13:42

I love, love, love this name and it’s currently sitting at the top of our list but just wondering how you would automatically pronounce it.

We would say Oct-ay-via like the a in hay but I’ve also heard it pronounced Oct-ah-via like the a in tar.

How would you say it?

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SnoopySantaPaws · 02/12/2024 05:08

blobby10 · 27/11/2024 16:21

I love the name! But hate the suggested shortening of Ocky! I remember in Jilly Coopers book where the titular character was called Tav or Tavvy which is a bit nicer. Generally not keen on nicknames/shortenings anyway as we spend SO long choosing our child's name why shorten it straight away?!

Maybe because some names just feel too big for a tiny baby. Some names are just too much.

because kids can grow into their 'proper' name or use it for work but keep the shortened version for family & friends.

Rumpoleoftheballet · 02/12/2024 04:37

Oc-tay-via Makes me think of the tv programme Pipkins.

mathanxiety · 02/12/2024 04:24

Funny how it's quite a blue collar name in the US but very MC in the UK.

I'd pronounce it with the TAY syllable in the middle.

Calliopespa · 02/12/2024 02:33

Sunnyflow · 01/12/2024 15:36

The fifth child must be a boy - Quentin is a boys name.

Maybe Quentina for a girl?

Show quote history

Quinta?

Sunnyflow · 01/12/2024 15:36

user1492757084 · 01/12/2024 04:18

I love Elektra too!

The family with ten girls ...

Una
Kiki
Trinity
Tetra
Quentin
Sessy
Seven or Raphaela
Octavia
Novina
Dixie

The fifth child must be a boy - Quentin is a boys name.

Maybe Quentina for a girl?

user1492757084 · 01/12/2024 04:18

I love Elektra too!

The family with ten girls ...

Una
Kiki
Trinity
Tetra
Quentin
Sessy
Seven or Raphaela
Octavia
Novina
Dixie

VeryQuaintIrene · 30/11/2024 23:37

Electra killed her mum, so not great, IMO.

evtheria · 27/11/2024 20:14

HoundsOfSmell · 27/11/2024 17:40

Love it! Also love Electra

Looooooove Electra! I actually knew an Elektra but she was Greek and lived in Greece so it wasn't unusual.
DP, a Brit living in UK, immediately 'absolutely not'-ed that one when I brought it up.

needhelpwiththisplease · 27/11/2024 18:31

We have one at nursery.
She is one of three and all the siblings have names associated with marvel comic book characters

ObieJoyful · 27/11/2024 18:31

Jostuki · 27/11/2024 18:27

I can only think of Pipkins.

Me too!

Anyone of a certain age will say it with a Brummie accent 😁.

Don’t worry though, OP- that certain age is really quite old.

Jostuki · 27/11/2024 18:27

I can only think of Pipkins.

SuperGinger · 27/11/2024 18:27

Know three all known as Ocky

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 27/11/2024 18:16

Octavia pronounced “Oct- Tay - Vee- Ah” generally or “Oct- Tave- Yah” when in a rush/being lazy. General diminutive usually “Tay-vee” I think, although personally I like “Vay-ah” too.

Gorgeous name, not sure why it’s so underused - I think it used to be because it was considered “posh” due to being Classical/Shakespearean/4 syllables, but Ophelia is all of those things too and has shot up in popularity. I’ll never understand the car problem either - a lot of vehicles (cars/boats/planes etc) traditionally had women’s names for whatever reason (and we have a Skoda Octavia ourselves, I’d still consider the name for a DD though!).

HoundsOfSmell · 27/11/2024 17:40

Love it! Also love Electra

pointlesspoints · 27/11/2024 17:37

FayCarew · 27/11/2024 08:17

Skoda. Oc-tayvia.

But the car is oct-TAHvia

MirandaBlu · 27/11/2024 17:33

I would instinctively say oc-TAY-vee-uh, except that the only Octavia I've ever known IRL was oc-TAH-vee-uh, and Tavi for short, pronounced to rhyme with savvy. Are you thinking of Tavi to rhyme (roughly) with navy? I think it's probably neck and neck re how people will pronounce the name the first time they see it: oc-TAH-vee-uh/TAH-vee vs oc-TAY-vee-uh/TAY-vee. But it's unusual enough that most people will probably go with your chosen pronunciation fairly easily.

SkaneTos · 27/11/2024 17:16

@Bjorkdidit
I am Scandinavian! Skoda Octavia is a very popular car in my home country. I know my parents wanted one, but then they bought a Skoda Fabia instead, it cost a bit less.

No matter how you pronounce it, I think Octavia is a beautiful name for a girl.

Moreteaandchocolate · 27/11/2024 17:03

SookieCookie · 27/11/2024 16:48

We would call her Tavi

Show quote history

Lovely! I don’t know any Octavias so I was just curious ☺️

Original poster
SookieCookie · 27/11/2024 16:48

Moreteaandchocolate · 27/11/2024 16:06

I’d say Oct- AY- via. Do you have a nn in mind?

We would call her Tavi

OP posts:
ByQuaintAzureWasp · 27/11/2024 16:34

Love it

blobby10 · 27/11/2024 16:21

I love the name! But hate the suggested shortening of Ocky! I remember in Jilly Coopers book where the titular character was called Tav or Tavvy which is a bit nicer. Generally not keen on nicknames/shortenings anyway as we spend SO long choosing our child's name why shorten it straight away?!

LittleShenis · 27/11/2024 16:15

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Moreteaandchocolate · 27/11/2024 16:06

I’d say Oct- AY- via. Do you have a nn in mind?

CustardCreams2 · 27/11/2024 16:00

Does bring Skoda Octavia to mind

evtheria · 27/11/2024 15:11

I love it, think it's beautiful and elegant. Wonder what nickname will be used when young though... Tavi? (TAH-vee).

I pronounce it Oc-TAY-vee-ah, but see pp have explained the original way.

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