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Baby names

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Original poster

Olivia, Imogen or Violet

33 replies

AutumnMelody · 29/01/2015 10:25

OK so we're set on a boy's name of Jonathan, girls name is not so easy though.

We're in the Midlands (not sure if location makes any difference!) but I really don't want to have a Olivia A or Imogen B in school.

I've looked at top 100 name lists but if I can find all three of the names in various top 100 lists

I'm after your opinions on which name you prefer and if you know many youngsters by that name please.

Thanks so much x

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Warmandtoasty · 29/01/2015 10:39

I love Imogen, there's loads of Olivia's in the school I used to work in (East Midlands) still like it though. Not keen on Violet, but only because I knew one who was a complete madam and it put me off!

loislines · 29/01/2015 11:03

Lots of little Olivias and Imogens here (south yorkshire). Not come across a Violet. Having said that I'm not keen on Violet and I do like Olivia!

LaceyLee · 29/01/2015 11:08

Olivia probably most popular but I like it best. Violet is most unusual and is also a nice name. Viola even more unusual Smile

wesH · 29/01/2015 11:12

Olivia is the nicest name. Imogen is one of the top most popular names right now, and Violet is a bit weedy - think "shrinking violet"

florascotia · 29/01/2015 11:31

I expect that you've looked at the government statistics, but just in case not:
www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-318125
Table 1 shows Top 100 names in 2013 compared with their popularity in 2003; Table 4 shows Top 10 names by regions (including East and West Midlands).

In 2013, Olivia ranked no 2 in England and Wales - it had climbed 6 places up the chart since 2003
Imogen ranked no 34 - it had climbed 3 places
Violet ranked no 78 - it had climbed 22 places.

MrsBungle · 29/01/2015 11:34

I live in the East Midlands and know many Olivia's. I like Imogen and I only know 1 but violet is is my favourite from your list, beautiful. I've not met any violet's around here.

coley170 · 29/01/2015 11:34

Love violet & imogen, Olivia is just a little too popular for my liking

I have Xanthia, Freya or Alexandra for girls & Sebastian or Reuben for boys

PfftTheMagicDraco · 29/01/2015 11:42

They are all lovely names. West Midlands here - there are several Olivias in DD's year (it was number 1 for a while on the names list, no?)

No Imogens or Violets at school. Both lovely.

Sophronia · 29/01/2015 11:47

I prefer Violet.

wigglesrock · 29/01/2015 11:48

I like Olivia (I have one Smile), I'd be inclined to look at how fast the names are rising in popularity, I think it might be a better indicator of how popular it could be by the time your child goes to school if that worries you. Violet is lovely too.

PatMullins · 29/01/2015 11:50

I love Violet, although it's about to become very popular as Blake Lively's little girl was named this quite recently!

SoftSheen · 29/01/2015 11:55

Violet.

Hedgehog1977 · 29/01/2015 12:23

I think Violet is lovely. X

ClariceBeanthatsme · 29/01/2015 12:27

I love Violet its on my list along with Olive. Alot less popular than Olivia and kind of a cool girls name imo

BossWitch · 29/01/2015 12:32

Violet is beautiful. Also I've taught a brilliantly clever Violet so that sways me!

velvetmoon · 29/01/2015 14:18

Imogen or Violet :)

IsadoraQuagmire · 29/01/2015 14:44

Violet is my favorite female name. I've never actually met one (or an Olivia, which makes me think of Olivia Benson in Law and order SVU - who's gorgeous)
I've known several Imogens and they were all pretty awful...

Guin1 · 29/01/2015 15:05

Prefer Imogen.

AnythingNotEverything · 29/01/2015 15:10

I think Violet is lovely, but I think it's on the rise.

Next favourite is Imogen, only struggling with the nn/shortenings.

Olivia is a bit of a "meh" name to me. Nice enough, but a bit dull.

Pandora37 · 29/01/2015 20:36

Olivia is the most popular but I don't know any little ones, only adults. I think Violet is going to end up sounding dated as it's suddenly got more popular quite quickly whereas Olivia has been consistently popular for a while and is more of a classic. I think as all names are in the top 100 it's likely there will be another in the same class but it's not always predictable. I like Olivia best but as you're very concerned with popularity I'd go with Imogen.

Pandora37 · 29/01/2015 20:38

Forgot to say I know 2 little Imogens and 2 little Violets. I don't know any Olivias under the age of 18.

Stars66 · 29/01/2015 20:43

I know one violet and one Imogen, mineSmile
Love both names

rednsparkley · 29/01/2015 20:49

There is at least one Olivia in every year at our primary school and only one Imogen in the whole school. I know one little Violet as well and she is a sweetheart. Violet is my favourite of the three with Imogen a close second. Olivia is a beautiful name but too popular for me to use it Smile

soontobemumofthree · 29/01/2015 21:09

I like both Olivia and violet. Ridiculous I know but Imogen to me always sounds like imagine mumbled. Both my children in school have 1 Olivia in their class. No Imogens or violets in any class that I am aware of (not East midlands tho).

itssangriaoclock · 29/01/2015 21:11

Olivia is so popular would def say she would be an Olivia A

Imogen is less popular so would prob be safe not to be an Imogen B

Violet although unusual and old fashioned. Is getting surprisingly popular last year.

My opinion in my area (I work with very young children). Would be Imogen being less popular.