First thing that you think of when you hear the name Ava?

[Bluemonkeyspots]

Good or bad?

[MyShoofly]

Popular.

At least where I am - Ava is in the top 5. Its still a lovely name though.

[DonDrapersAltrEgoBigglesDraper]

Another one?... for me, too.

Overly popular, and will date.

It was gorgeous, simple, elegant, glamourous, etc when Ava Gardner was the only person with the name, and so your association was sultry, golden-age-of-Hollywood style. But it has become devalued, eyes-glass-over-with-boredom-dull through sheer over-use.

[3MonthMaid]

Unfortunately I think "common - band wagon name"

I prefer Eve.

But seriously, it's the one name that you literally NEVER hear on anyone over about 8 (eastenders aside!)

[wigglesrock]

It's a beautiful name, I almost went with it for dd1. But at the time I thought it was too posey - dd1 is not quite 8 . I hadn't heard of one in years then, in fact my mil thought it was a very old fashioned name.

[MotheringShites]

I think if you really like a name you should steer very clear of these boards. As some other threads have mentioned recently, it's worse than IABU in here.

It's surprising how hurtful it actually is to see your beloved name ripped to shreds. And yes, I know people ask for opinions here but the ferocity of some of the responses is vile.

Shall steer v v v clear of here from now on.

[kerala]

Another one. Very popular agree this generations Claire. Rather yawn some now lost any appeal through over use.

[mynameisnotmichaelcaine]

My dd, born in 2004, when it was only just in the top 300. Beware all you mums of Ottilies, this could happen to you!

I think it's a beautiful name. Love Eva too. Do not get why people compare it to Evie and Ellie, totally different sound and feel from those two names imo.

[kerala]

Disagree mothering when I first got pregnant I was set on Olivia (like everyone else) thankfully clocked how over used it was so didn't use it. First time parents without much contact with young children don't realise what has become super popular. My 3 friends with Eve's wish they hadn't.

[TheBirdsFellDownToDingADong]

As others say, my immediate thought would be yawn, another.

[bulletproofgerbil]

Beautiful name.

[gerbilsarefun]

I'm a bit out of touch with popular baby names, my girls are 11 & 14 (one has a top ten name and one has a less popular name for her generation but still a classic). I like the name Ava, but then I'm a fan of classic names. . It's a name which would stand the test of time, great for a cute baby but still nice for a teen or a grown-up.

[Norfolknway]

My neice. She is lovely

[Linguaphile]

Overused, and that the parents probably thought they were picking something fresh and unique.

Sorry!

[telsa]

good. pretty name which is elegant and simply and hard to shorten.

[Pinkbeans]

Myleene Klass.

[Charleymouse]

Maria

cup of tea and a biscuit?

[JazzAnnNonMouse]

Ava Maria

Nice name, quite popular so a lot of people must think the same

[Bluemonkeyspots]

Thanks everyone

As the baby names topic goes I think this has been a success!

I live in the arse end of nowhere and everyone is called Emma or Sam so I don't thing the whole "yawn, another one" will really apply to me.

[lljkk]

yr4 girl we know with same name, her or Ava Gabor (Eva? one of them)

[DonDrapersAltrEgoBigglesDraper]

Fair enough Bluemonkey and if you love it, you should go for it.

But don't forget that name popularity is far greater than the area you live in. Ava is very popular where I am, and I'm 10s of 1000s of kilometres away from you - a whole nother hemisphere, in fact!

When you think of names like Joanne and Claire from our generation, you don't think, 'well, it was less popular in Village X, so it didn't date as much there as it did elsewhere'. The fact is, those names are intrinsically linked with 70s and 80s babies regardless, because they were so widely used then.

I'm only adding this opinion since this is a thread asking for opinions so I don't think it is unsolicited. Just something to think about, and if you decide you love it nonetheless, then it's clearly the name for you. :)

[Raaraathenoisybaby]

Lovely but extremely popular

[LittleMissLucy]

I like it a lot more than Eve. But friends of mine chose Eve over it as they thought Ava was reminiscent of Eva Braun....

[TolliverGroat]

Gardner.

Then Myleene.

I don't actually know any Avas, oddly enough, although I know it's very popular nationally and I have children the right ages to theoretically be friends with dozens of Avas.

[Fairylea]

Very, very popular! I know 4 babies called it !