Please or to access all these features

Baby names

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

Which is more common - Oliver or Sam?

40 replies

pulapula · 17/04/2009 21:00

We are having DS no.2 in about a month's time, and have narrowed our name choices down to Oliver (Ollie) or Samuel (Sam).

I know both are quite common/popular but the same could be said of our other DCs names (Katie and Ben).

I am just a bit worried that Sam is too popular at the moment.

Any views?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Marthasmama · 17/04/2009 21:53

Oh herbie you've spolied the theory now! Damn, must just be my little bugger then! Hee hee! I do love the name Oliver.

strawberrycornetto · 17/04/2009 21:52

3 of my closest friends have Sam or Samuel, all three under 5.I know of 4 Olivers, 1 nct baby, 2 4 yr olde and a 8 year old. I am south east. I would say they are all good, classic names and I don't think there is much in it popularity wise.

herbietea · 17/04/2009 21:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Marthasmama · 17/04/2009 21:47

Oliver is more popular (I have one of my own). Be warned, everyone I know who has an Oliver/is an Oliver says that Ollies are pickles. They are wayward and naughty. Mine is and every other Ollie I know is the same.

hester · 17/04/2009 21:46

I think they're both popular. But Sam is more classic, and much nicer!

randomname · 17/04/2009 21:45

Oliver def more popular

thisisyesterday · 17/04/2009 21:15

I mean, Oliver is more popular. here at least

thisisyesterday · 17/04/2009 21:15

Oliver

loler · 17/04/2009 21:12

I know more Olivers than sams. But like you said both are pretty popular. Nursery has 3 olivers and 2 sams, School has 2 Olivers but I can't think of any Sams.

pulapula · 17/04/2009 21:07

Thanks, the tricky thing at the moment is i can't decide which i prefer the most so am looking for reasons to go for one more than the other.

Here (Sheffield) there just seem to be loads of Sams...

OP posts:
tummytickler · 17/04/2009 21:06

Oliver definately. I also think Sam (Samuel) is a bit more timeless and classic.

purepurple · 17/04/2009 21:05

I have a Sam, he is 19. I work with children and in the past 15 years have only come across one other and he was a Samuel.

MissTFied · 17/04/2009 21:05

Oliver. I prefer Sam.

Bubbaloo · 17/04/2009 21:04

Oliver is alot more popular here,than Sam.Both are lovely names IMO and I would personally go with which name you prefer.

LadyOfWaffle · 17/04/2009 21:02

Oliver