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Baby names

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

Original poster

Liv

62 replies

ThinkIveBeenHacked · 03/05/2014 23:41

Can I have just Liv? DD is just Meg, so im not averse to having a shorter name on the BC but I love Olive and DH loves Liv.

Wwyd?!?

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WaxyDaisy · 03/05/2014 23:42

If you both love Liv then call her Liv Smile

Appletini · 03/05/2014 23:46

You can - I know a Liv, she's half Norwegian.

nooka · 04/05/2014 00:00

Personally I wouldn't, but then I would have opted for Margaret rather than Meg as I don't like diminutives as given names and I like lots of options for children to use variants of their names as they choose.

However your taste is obviously very different to mine, and Liv seems quite similar to Meg to me. Do either of you like Livia? If you use Olive there's nothing to stop your dh calling her Liv though and then you'd both be happy. Both my children use four or five versions of the names on a regular basis with different people (dh and I use a few more too!) and its' really not an issue.

Alisvolatpropiis · 04/05/2014 00:34

Yes you can. It is a name in it's own right, it isn't merely a short form. It has both a Hebrew (defence/protection) and Norse (life) root.

People will assume that it is short for Olivia though because it so popular at present, so you might have to explain that to people.

iK8 · 04/05/2014 00:41

Liv is a marvellous name. It's also a proper name in its own right.

Graciejoylove8 · 04/05/2014 00:46

I dislike olive and Olivia- but love Liv
More attitude and less common.
Go for it.

WhereHas1999DissappearedToo · 04/05/2014 02:11

Liv is a lovely name, I know a girl called just Liv and she is lovely.

squoosh · 04/05/2014 02:35

Olive - ugly
Olivia - boring
Liv - just lovely

I love short names and think there's something beautifully sparse about having a Meg and a Liv.

Do it.

JapaneseMargaret · 04/05/2014 02:40

I have to say, squoosh's descriptions are bang on the money.

I'm not one for diminutive names on birth certificates, but that's just me - I can fully see why some people prefer just to go with the shortened version.

If you like just Liv, call her just Liv.

Lannypanny123 · 04/05/2014 07:49

I think Liv is loverly and wants the point in putting a name on the birth certificate you don't love,

My auntie give her daughter a NN name 17 years ago but after pressure from people put a full name on her BC my cousin has never ever used this name and if people find out about it she hates it and they can't believe it's her full name as she's never been known as it, my aunt regrets not just giving her the NN

SS3J · 04/05/2014 07:59

You could. But if you can't decide then put Olive on the birth certificate and call her Liv for short if you want to!

CoreyTrevorLahey · 04/05/2014 08:06

Liv is great! If it's a full name in languages other than English, then it's a full name.

TheScience · 04/05/2014 08:12

Liv is a full name in it's own right. I know a Liv although it is pronounced with a long i sound (more like Leev).

Original poster
ThinkIveBeenHacked · 04/05/2014 08:16

Thanks everyone!

DH really doesnt like Olive, so wont want that on the BC but if I did have Olive id no doubt call her Liv more oftenthan Olive.

Liv it is!

No idea what sort of middle name would go.....any suggestions? Our surname is very very similar to Cavendish.

OP posts:
DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 04/05/2014 10:20

One, two or three syllable second name?

Liv Anne
Liv Hayd(e)n
Liv Mackenzie

Bunbaker · 04/05/2014 10:24

I'm not keen on Olive, but like Olivia. You just need to take into account that people will assume it is short for Olivia whether you like it or not.

Alisvolatpropiis · 04/05/2014 11:31

People can be politely corrected then can't they Bun, as mentioned above Liv is a full name with both Hebrew and Norse roots.

Original poster
ThinkIveBeenHacked · 04/05/2014 12:48

Hmm....no-nes ever assumed Meg is Megan/Margaret so I didnt think they would do that with a Liv.

OP posts:
Original poster
ThinkIveBeenHacked · 04/05/2014 12:49

Id like a traditional middle name, DDs is Alice, so something similar.

Emily?

OP posts:
Mrsindecision · 04/05/2014 13:05

Catherine
Charlotte
Sophie
Mary
Juliet

Emily is lovely but said along with Liv sounds a bit like "Liver Millie"! I would therefore personally avoid middle names beginning with most vowel sounds.

Bunbaker · 04/05/2014 14:37

"Hmm....no-nes ever assumed Meg is Megan/Margaret"

I would. I guess it is an age thing. Most people my age and older would assume a shortened name to be just that - short for something else. Or people are just being polite.

squoosh · 04/05/2014 14:48

Who cares what people assume as long as they use her given name?

Non issue.

janie2 · 04/05/2014 15:24

Liv Helen
Liv Scarlett
Liv Maria
Liv charlotte
Liv Louise

Bunbaker · 04/05/2014 15:44

"Who cares what people assume as long as they use her given name?"

Teachers at DD's school often call pupils by what they assume is their full name, either as a joke or if they are telling the pupil off. So the child with a shortened name might care.

mynameisnotmichaelcaine · 04/05/2014 15:47

My friend has a Livi, she is just Livi. No-one has a problem grasping this. Liv is a good name.