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Baby names

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

Olive

112 replies

agirlandherdog1234 · 26/12/2025 14:11

Love it. But does it just blend in with the ridiculously popular Olivia? Thoughts?

OP posts:
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Calliopespa · 29/12/2025 18:43

agirlandherdog1234 · 29/12/2025 18:42

The purpose of my post was to see what people's thoughts on it blending in with Olivia was, really.

Well I think both will get Liv.

agirlandherdog1234 · 29/12/2025 18:42

Calliopespa · 29/12/2025 18:24

Yes it has been, but I feel like this is the reason it is feeling fashionable again.

But it is a perfectly acceptable name - it's just you did ask in the post I quoted why people don't like it. That's just explaining.

Name preferences will always be heavily dependent on the associations and tastes of the individual, so all they can really do is explain what their associations are.

The purpose of my post was to see what people's thoughts on it blending in with Olivia was, really.

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 29/12/2025 18:29

agirlandherdog1234 · 28/12/2025 21:28

True that.
I don't feel its in the same league though

I agree it's in the same category as Beryl and Gladys (and Phyllis, Mavis, and other drab names).

Calliopespa · 29/12/2025 18:27

agirlandherdog1234 · 29/12/2025 17:50

This is so true!! Thank you. Every name gets ridiculed on here

This is true - and there also tend to be groups who favour certain types of names.

Some threads I now just don't even click on as I know they aren't my bag and couldn't begin to choose between the op's suggestions because they are simply from a group of names I really don't click with, so leave it to those who like some but not others to debate the pros and cons.

Names will always be like that.

Calliopespa · 29/12/2025 18:24

agirlandherdog1234 · 29/12/2025 17:39

This is wild 🤣 Olive is an actual name and has been for centuries.

Yes it has been, but I feel like this is the reason it is feeling fashionable again.

But it is a perfectly acceptable name - it's just you did ask in the post I quoted why people don't like it. That's just explaining.

Name preferences will always be heavily dependent on the associations and tastes of the individual, so all they can really do is explain what their associations are.

agirlandherdog1234 · 29/12/2025 17:50

MrsMitford3 · 29/12/2025 17:47

I love Olive.

To be fair my DD's name is always appearing on lists of marmite baby names but I just knew I wanted it. It was very rare when I named her but has had a little tiny bump in the last few years (she is an adult now).
There have def been mentions of her name on threads on here and ppl have had differing opinions (some negative for sure) but I don't like their children's names either.

But I 100% love it and knew it was for her and it sounds like that is how you feel about Olive.
You can't please everyone-please yourself!!!!

This is so true!! Thank you. Every name gets ridiculed on here

OP posts:
agirlandherdog1234 · 29/12/2025 17:49

Emanwenym · 29/12/2025 17:40

It's also been an ugly little oily fruit for centuries.

How about Clementine or Sultana?

Edited

Omg 🤣🫤
Every name gets ridiculed on here for one reason or another it seems

OP posts:
MrsMitford3 · 29/12/2025 17:47

I love Olive.

To be fair my DD's name is always appearing on lists of marmite baby names but I just knew I wanted it. It was very rare when I named her but has had a little tiny bump in the last few years (she is an adult now).
There have def been mentions of her name on threads on here and ppl have had differing opinions (some negative for sure) but I don't like their children's names either.

But I 100% love it and knew it was for her and it sounds like that is how you feel about Olive.
You can't please everyone-please yourself!!!!

Loopylalalou · 29/12/2025 17:43

Lemonlimonade · 29/12/2025 15:58

What has age got to with an olive 🫒 being slimy and oily?!

Olive Oil was (is?) Popeye’s girlfriend. Google it.

Emanwenym · 29/12/2025 17:40

agirlandherdog1234 · 29/12/2025 17:39

This is wild 🤣 Olive is an actual name and has been for centuries.

It's also been an ugly little oily fruit for centuries.

How about Clementine or Sultana?

meltingalways · 29/12/2025 17:40

Olive is a vintage name that used to be extremely popular!

agirlandherdog1234 · 29/12/2025 17:39

Calliopespa · 29/12/2025 17:21

Yeah grape or raisin is a good analogy.

TBH I think it has become popular because of the push toward using olive oil to cook with, so people think of it as a sort of hip, "Wholefoods Supermarket" kind of name. Like Quinoa, or Amaranth, which I wouldn't like on a child either - though confidently predict the day is only round the corner when I meet a little Kale.

This is wild 🤣 Olive is an actual name and has been for centuries.

OP posts:
Calliopespa · 29/12/2025 17:21

KarriTreeSullivan · 29/12/2025 10:38

On The Buses is ancient! I'm in my 40's and never watched a whole episode, and the clips I have seen should quite rightly get the programme of the tele, it's appalling! This child's peers and I expect her mother would never associate this name with On The Buses. Is Popeye even on the tele anymore, that's even old than on the buses isn't it!?

I think Olive is quite popular right now or has been recently, but I know an Olivia who gets called Olive (aged 11) so it will possibly bend in with all the Olivia's. I also personally think it's a horrible name, like calling your kid Grape or Raisin or Date or something, very odd name. But that's just my opinion, it's clearly popular in the real world right now.

Yeah grape or raisin is a good analogy.

TBH I think it has become popular because of the push toward using olive oil to cook with, so people think of it as a sort of hip, "Wholefoods Supermarket" kind of name. Like Quinoa, or Amaranth, which I wouldn't like on a child either - though confidently predict the day is only round the corner when I meet a little Kale.

Calliopespa · 29/12/2025 17:18

agirlandherdog1234 · 28/12/2025 19:51

How come out of interest? I get the impression that it is a very marmite name!

I think for me the first thing is the actual sound. If you make a loud gulping noise - as though you were on stage and needed the audience to hear you perform a stage direction such as "OP gulps nervously" - to me the resultant noise is a bit like the sound Olive.

Secondly it's the thing itself- a sort of oval, slightly bitter, oily, glistening thing that looks a bit like a newborn's head - especially when they get that slightly sweaty looking hair that newborn babies often get. I can see how a little Primrose peeping through the long grass or a Poppy waving in the sun might make you think "What a pretty thing to name a child after." But an olive ... not so much.

Finally I do associate it with some less than glamorous Olives like Olive Oil from Popeye.

Lemonlimonade · 29/12/2025 15:58

Loopylalalou · 29/12/2025 10:51

Maybe it’s an age thing - us older will be reminded of Olive from On the Buses and Olive Oil. Younger people perhaps won’t know of those connections.

What has age got to with an olive 🫒 being slimy and oily?!

YellowCherry · 29/12/2025 10:52

I love Olive

Loopylalalou · 29/12/2025 10:51

Pranksters · 26/12/2025 15:39

I don’t like it at all, I think it’s so frumpy and drab.

Maybe it’s an age thing - us older will be reminded of Olive from On the Buses and Olive Oil. Younger people perhaps won’t know of those connections.

soundsofthesixties · 29/12/2025 10:41

Dreadful

KarriTreeSullivan · 29/12/2025 10:38

On The Buses is ancient! I'm in my 40's and never watched a whole episode, and the clips I have seen should quite rightly get the programme of the tele, it's appalling! This child's peers and I expect her mother would never associate this name with On The Buses. Is Popeye even on the tele anymore, that's even old than on the buses isn't it!?

I think Olive is quite popular right now or has been recently, but I know an Olivia who gets called Olive (aged 11) so it will possibly bend in with all the Olivia's. I also personally think it's a horrible name, like calling your kid Grape or Raisin or Date or something, very odd name. But that's just my opinion, it's clearly popular in the real world right now.

cockandbullstories · 29/12/2025 10:27

HoldingTheDoor · 29/12/2025 10:03

I don’t immediately think of On The Buses as I haven’t really watched it, though I am aware of it, but I do think that it’s such an incredibly ugly name that the On The Buses references will be the least of one’s worries if using Olive.

That's my thought - that and olive in Popeye 😬

FancyCatSlave · 29/12/2025 10:25

I’m not a huge fan. I know one, lovely girl same age as my DD (Y1) but I prefer prettier names myself. I do think it is quite different vibe to Olivia but if it is shortened then it will blend in.

I really like Livia.

meltingalways · 29/12/2025 10:22

I could literally write this post @agirlandherdog1234ive eondered if a child would hate her name growing up as I think Olive will date badly. Doesn’t stop me absolutely loving it though 🤣

ManyPigeons · 29/12/2025 10:07

I know a few and do like it

HoldingTheDoor · 29/12/2025 10:04

meltingalways · 28/12/2025 21:45

I’ve literally had a baby 2 weeks ago and we’ve gone with poppy because we love the nicknames pop, pops, popsy etc but Olive has always had a piece of my heart and I’m wondering if I need to change it. Poppy does go with our other children’s names better but im wondering if I’ll always regret not using Olive. I adore it. I might need to get a cat if I don’t use it for my daughter…

Congratulations on your DD!

Olive would be a brilliant name for a cat, not for a child but perfect for a feline.

HoldingTheDoor · 29/12/2025 10:03

I don’t immediately think of On The Buses as I haven’t really watched it, though I am aware of it, but I do think that it’s such an incredibly ugly name that the On The Buses references will be the least of one’s worries if using Olive.

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