Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

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?
Set a reminder
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Message withdrawn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.

Original poster
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