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Baby names

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

Original poster

Olivia or Freya

43 replies

hannanah · 17/06/2025 22:27

These are the two we’ve whittled it down to, which do you like best?

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OldFamilyTable · 18/06/2025 15:10

Freya

WaltzingWaters · 18/06/2025 15:08

Freya 100%. Whilst both are quite popular, I feel like I’ve heard Olivia far too much. I find it really boring now.

user1499114292 · 18/06/2025 15:04

I know a couple of Freyers, neither of them are pleasant children, so I’m anti.

its surprisingly common these days too.
Olivia is lovely.

KayEmAy · 18/06/2025 14:59

Team Freya!

AnneMarieW · 18/06/2025 09:20

Olivia for me. Because of the Shakespearean use, and that there are a few famous older Olivia’s, it feels much more classic to me despite its surge in popularity.

Freya is lovely but it was barely used/heard of in this country even 30 years ago compared to fairly heavy use now - so despite the Scandi Goddess links I think it might date in future.

DuchessOfNarcissex · 18/06/2025 08:58

Olive instead of Olivia - it's very cool. It's frumpy.

Ihaveacatwhoisfat · 18/06/2025 08:21

Olivia.

But really both are overused girls names and she’ll be the 5th Olivia or Freya in her class. Especially if you stick Rose/Grace/May on the end like everyone else does.

JamJarJane · 18/06/2025 06:52

I like both, but Freya has the edge. I agree with pp about Olive instead of Olivia - it's very cool.

You've narrowed it down to two lovely names - is there a case for waiting until she's born and seeing if one fits better than the other?

jerrygen · 18/06/2025 06:44

Olivia is more popular but less used

Moreteaandchocolate · 18/06/2025 06:42

Freya - pretty, and unlikely to be shortened.

Olivia has been far too overused for decades round us and they mostly become “Liv” which seems like it will become the new Liz, as the name of every other future lady of this generation.

sillyrubberduck · 18/06/2025 06:42

Olivia , usually shortened Liv , both lovely !

MonumentalError · 18/06/2025 06:41

Of the two - Freya.

Olive I think is much cooler than Freya, though @hannanah …

Headfullofbees · 18/06/2025 06:37

Freya. I only just discovered how old and badass it is as a name, along with Rhea. Olivia/Olive/Oliver too popular for me.

Mumof1andacat · 18/06/2025 06:35

Coming in to say neither. Both are very popular and over used.

JillyGiraffe · 18/06/2025 06:32

Olivia!

Firsttimebabymummy · 18/06/2025 06:30

Freya

BoleynMemories13 · 18/06/2025 06:19

I use to like Freya but I've gone off it in recent years. Maybe this is just based on ones I know personally, but I now find it quite a weak sounding name.

Olivia is a classic. Yes it's very popular, but so is Freya these days. The nickname Liv is cool and still sounds fairly fresh, despite the popularity of the full name.

Pemba · 18/06/2025 05:46

Olivia, I know it's been very popular for years, but it's a beautiful name.

Freya is OK, a bit meh really in comparison.

SemperIdem · 18/06/2025 00:21

Freya.

It is popular but not as aggressively overused as Olivia.

Username2151 · 18/06/2025 00:19

Olivia, Olivia, Olivia, well used, maybe, but for me, preferable to the also well used Freya.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 18/06/2025 00:17

JulianFawcettMP · 17/06/2025 23:36

No need to be so aggressively unkind.

You don't like it but your opinion is no more valid than that of anyone else even though the way you state it suggests you think it is.

Show quote history

She’s expressing an opinion, which is what the OP asked for

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 18/06/2025 00:15

Freya

Birdsongsinging · 17/06/2025 23:41

Not keen on Freya but Olivia is very popular so hard to say but Olivia is better in my view.

1SillySossij · 17/06/2025 23:39

Please, the world does not need any more Olivias!!

JulianFawcettMP · 17/06/2025 23:36

StrongandNorthern · 17/06/2025 22:43

Freya.
Olivia is (frankly) awful.

No need to be so aggressively unkind.

You don't like it but your opinion is no more valid than that of anyone else even though the way you state it suggests you think it is.

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