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Baby names

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

Thoughts on Olive...

113 replies

sophiepumpkin · 17/07/2016 20:45

We have had the name Martha picked for our baby girl, due soon, for a long time. I've recently had a wobble because I've met a few other Martha's and the name appears to be gaining in popularity. I am very taken with Olive but wondered what the consensus is, it seems to be a love it or hate it one. Thoughts on the names much appreciated.

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SickRose · 17/07/2016 20:47

Oh I love Olive! It's top of my list at the moment. Just need to actually get pregnant now...

Meeep · 17/07/2016 20:48

I really like it!

Bluesand1 · 17/07/2016 20:48

I like Olive and haven't met a baby Olive yet whereas I know of one baby Martha (not that popular near me though)

venys · 17/07/2016 20:48

Love it :)

DramaAlpaca · 17/07/2016 20:49

I love Olive.

I used to absolutely hate it and thought of it as a much less nice version of Olivia, but I've changed my mind completely in the last couple of years and now much prefer Olive.

You can still use Liv or Livvy as a nickname, too.

I like it much better than Martha, actually.

iCloud · 17/07/2016 20:49

I don't really like it, it reminds me of a greasy khaki colour

Rainbowqueeen · 17/07/2016 20:50

Love it

Definitely would have used it if it didn't clas with my last name

Rainbowqueeen · 17/07/2016 20:51

Oops. Clash with my last name!

HopperBusTicket · 17/07/2016 20:51

I think Olive and Martha are both lovely. Have you considered Margot, Audrey or Ellen *

  • Two boys and would love a girl but it isn't going to happen so have to live vicariously ...
cornishglos · 17/07/2016 20:52

I don't think Olive would work for a fair skinned child.

NapQueen · 17/07/2016 20:52

Olive was my top name for dc2 but it was a boy. I wasn't brave enough to use it on dc1 (dd)

villainousbroodmare · 17/07/2016 20:53

It really makes me think of an olive.
I prefer Olivia, but it's very popular.
I love Margot, Audrey and Ellen.

BettyOBarley · 17/07/2016 20:55

I know of siblings called Olive and Martha!
I think they're both lovely.

sophiepumpkin · 17/07/2016 21:01

Now to persuade DH !

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SteviebunsBottrittrundle · 17/07/2016 21:02

Both lovely! Think I prefer Olive slightly.

thundercake · 17/07/2016 21:04

Makes me think of Olive Oil from Popeye, and I know two baby Olives so I'm not that keen. Martha is lovely thought. What about 'Orla'? Irish name and can be spelt 'Órlaith' or... can't remember the other spelling.

mustbetimeforacreamtea · 17/07/2016 21:05

To me I automatically think of the character Olive from On the Buses and Popeye's girlfriend but then I'm geriatric.

BennyTheBall · 17/07/2016 21:07

Just my opinion....but I think Olive is a really ugly name.

Olivia however, is OK.

RiverTam · 17/07/2016 21:09

Awful, sorry. One of those out-of-fashion-for-a-reason granny names that MN is so fond of, for some inexplicable reason. I think it's a terrible name to saddle a child with.

PinkyPlumet · 17/07/2016 21:10

Same as thoughts on avocado

SanityClause · 17/07/2016 21:12

Frumpy

sophiepumpkin · 17/07/2016 21:13

Oh no Shock

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Liz09 · 17/07/2016 21:16

Love it. I like it more than Olivia, but it seems to lend itself more to both Ollie/Liv/Livvy short forms than Olivia, plus it's more unusual and has that granny chicness about it.

Still shitty that I can't use it myself, as we already have an Olivia in the family and it's just too close. Hmmph. >:|

Liz09 · 17/07/2016 21:18

That's supposed to say, "I love it more than Olivia, BECAUSE..."

FurryDogMother · 17/07/2016 21:19

I'm biased, 'cos I have an Aunty Olive who I really don't get on with, and it makes me think of something small, green, and stuffed - but I love Olivia. Not keen on Martha 'cos I think it was the name of a character in a TV drama about a woman with multiple personalities. Love Orla, love Julia - and have you considered Meriel?