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Baby names

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Original poster

Is Octavia pretentious?

84 replies

persephoneplum · 07/10/2009 11:31

I have loved this name for a long time now and about 6 months ago, decided if I ever had a girl child, she would be called this.

I've got cold feet now and feel it might be a bit pretentious - and I have no problem with strong names,a lot of my favourites have cropped up in the other 'pretentious' thread - but I am considering if it would affect a child adversely.

Freya is my second choice and despite its extreme popularity in Britain, it doesn't even crack top 1200 in my state of Australia. Do you think this might be a better choice in terms of how a name affects a person?

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LadyThompson · 21/10/2009 11:36

Pleasure! Choose the names which give you the most pleasure and sod everybody else.

Original poster
persephoneplum · 21/10/2009 11:30

LadyT I think you're absolutely right - it is a bit insecure of me to doubt such a marvellous name. I never bought into the eighth child thing anyway, as there's no way in hell I'm having eight, and not willing to throw the name out for such a superficial reason.

It's back on the table Thanks for the wake-up call!

OP posts:
CJCregg · 21/10/2009 09:24

Agree with Lady T - the Romans certainly didn't use it just for eighth children. It's a beautiful name, and has been around much longer than any stupid car!

LadyThompson · 21/10/2009 09:07

What's pretentious about it? It's been around for centuries.

I think this harping on about names being pretentious is a bit insecure.

The Romans didn't use it for eighth children only, as anyone with a faint grasp of classics will already know. Though I imagine some will deem that a pretentious remark

Jamieandhismagictorch · 19/10/2009 16:21

Pretentious

Toffeepopple · 19/10/2009 13:25

Yes it could be seen as pretentious, but if you love it, who cares?

lalin · 18/10/2009 19:20

Octavia is gorgeous. With or without the 8th born connection. Beautiful, stylish yet not difficult or pretentious.

bigstripeytiger · 18/10/2009 12:22

I think its a great name. If I had had 8 children and the 8th was a girl I would have definately used it.

sanfair · 18/10/2009 12:14

I think it's a lovely name. I like Freya too. As to whether it's pretentious or not - no matter what you call your child, there'll always be someone who won't like it for any reason at at all. The only thing that's important is whether you like it.

octavia · 09/10/2009 17:43

Great name imo

silkcut · 08/10/2009 21:48

very

pointyhat · 08/10/2009 21:43

yes

vanloadtovenice · 08/10/2009 21:30

Octavia is lovely, and not pretentious. Had a friend called this at school, she was Tavy for short. Lovely, go for it.

campion · 08/10/2009 19:33

A lot less pretentious than the 'trying too hard' old ladies' names which are the vogue in some circles.

I've only known one and she seems to get on just fine with it. She does have a 3 syllable surname though, so the whole name flows really well.

JoeyBettany · 08/10/2009 19:00

It is a beautiful name, and Yes,teafortwo I have read 'The Millstone', a lovely book.

mrswoolf · 08/10/2009 18:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

themildmanneredjanitor · 08/10/2009 17:43

This reply has been deleted

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EverySingleStar · 08/10/2009 17:40

Know 2 Octavias, one gets called Taves sometimes but mostly sticks to Octavia, and the other is called Occie.

Pretentious, but pretty

teafortwo · 08/10/2009 07:49

Did you read Margaret Drabble's 'The Millstone'? The baby in that is called Octavia - IMHO it is such a very beautiful book and such a very beautiful name.

Kayzr · 08/10/2009 07:17

I love Octavia. Lovely name.

Freya is horrible.

WickedWench · 07/10/2009 23:48

Yes

In the same way that you shouldn't call any boy who isn't the seventh son Septimus.

If you like it then use it, but anyone who has studied Latin will think you are bonkers or badly educated.

But that really shouldn't bother you if you really like the name!!

watsthestory · 07/10/2009 23:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Jux · 07/10/2009 23:26

Is she your 8th child? No other excuse.

Kingsroadie · 07/10/2009 23:16

I like it. But then again, all the names I like seem to fall under the "pretentious" categories on here! So perhaps I am not the best person to comment...

Caitni · 07/10/2009 15:29

Octavia is pretentious, but is also a name with a long heritage so if you like it, go for it.

Freya I like, but I prefer if there's an actual connection to Scandinavia (just my personal opinion).

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