Olivia or Julian??

Dont like Julian at all.
Olivia is nice but too popular.

Isn't also the name of one of Postman Pat's offspring? Now, that could put me off.......

@ nancy

Olivia is nice - although very popular.
Julian is a bed wetters name.

Love both - had an ex who was a Julian and he was gorgeous (a bit of bastard but ho hum, and I did dump him in the end)

Can you live with Liv/Livy or Jules as abbreviations though?

You know which camp I'm in but mine is becoming an Ollie or a Livvy, interestingly there aren't too many Olivia's around us, Julian is quite different now, the more I'm saying it, the more I like it.

We just named our son Julian. I think its a great name, its not too popular but still familiar. Danny Devito, Pheobe From friends, Jerry Seinfeld and John Lennon all have sons named Julian. Its actually in the 60s for popularity in the US ahead of Lucas which was another choice for us. I think it has a timeless and well rounded sound to it. The first thing that comes to mind is that it sounds royal. And I think that it will be well recepted as a boys name with the young ones because of King Julian in the Disney's Madagascar movie.

Hi charliebug - I do still like Julian. To me it is strong but also gentle. Plus it works in a lot of European languages (my DD has a continental name, so am looking for other names which translate).

I am really quite surprised by how much people dislike it, but as I said I guess there has to be a reason that I don't know any little Julians. I think I will keep it on my list as there are so few names that haven't been taken by friends and which sound OK with our ugly surname aaaaand which DH and I can both tolerate (which is the particularly tricky bit).

Kids tend to make names their own. E.g. I always found the name Frank rather harsh but I met a toddler called Frank the other day and he was such a bundle of gorgeous, giggling little rascal that I have completely revised my opinion of the name.

I like both of them. I have a 2 yr old Olivia and everytime we go on holiday we meet tons more of them.

The Times said it was the most popular name in Britain just after we named her this

We had no idea!

How about Olive?

I like Julian! And I think it's a good thing it's not super popular right now

I love the name Julian and can't see why so many people dislike it. I would consider the name if I had a son. Oliver is just too popular now in my opinion.

Names that aren't "in" at the moment are more interesting and individual. I bet in most classrooms there are about 10 Olivers at the moment.

If you like Julian then I'd say go for it. Nothing wrong with it at all. No more poncey than Henry and a much nicer name imo.

Julian isn't one I'd choose at all.
Olivia, as all posts say is far, far too common these days - every small girl under a certain age seems to be called Olivia.
Oliver is over used these days too - everyone seems to be naming babies Oliver!

Why not go for something a little less "of the moment" IYSWIM? Something NOT on lists of 100 popular names...there are some lovely names for both genders that won't date as much or sound as twee.

Neither for me. Julian reminds me of a centre-parted limp haired ninny and Olivia too popular with food associations

Like Olivia, don't like Julian-too effeminate in my opinion!!

I have a gorgeous, thoughtful and considerate friend called Julian - I like it, but it is a slightly effeminate name.

My DD is Olivia, so obviously I'm biased.. it's what drew me to this thread in the first place. I totally agree with the other mum who said that you can't go out without bumping into other Olivia's. Nevertheless it's a classy name, and one that is an adult name. That's the trouble with Daisy's and Molly's etc...pretty though they are they aren't the name of a 47 year old professional woman, but Olivia is classic (Shakespearean no less) and elegant.

What about Julienne...or is that some kind of french way of cooking veg?

Yes, it is that bad - sorry! Pregancy can cloud your judgement..

I think I've worked out why Julian is so creepy as a name.
It's because its a 50 year olds mans name and not one that I can imagine getting popular again, so would sit wrong on a child iyswim.

In the same league as Keith or Roger

'hallo, I'm Sandy and this is my friend Julian..'
(kenneth williams, v camp voice)

Olivia is okay but there are quite a lot of them about. Julian is horrible, sorry.

Hi again Lulubai. I like Olive better as JemL suggested. I can't bear Julian- no particular reason why, I just don't like it. Its hard this isn't it .

Olivia lovely but very popular as others have said.

Julian too feminine for my liking for a boy.

Love Juliette for a girl though.