Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Ava - Too Popular?

83 replies

ForumUsername · 29/01/2018 16:05

Our little girl is nearly 10 days old and we haven't picked a name

We like Ava but it's very popular and that's putting us off
Is it silly to not go with it because it's popular?

Has anyone any other suggestions?
We want something classic but not overly used....

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
mum2be2boys · 29/01/2018 18:05

Ava is a lovely name! If you like it, go for it. I know it's apparently a very popular name, but I don't know any in real life. None in my eldest's reception intake of 60, or any in my youngest's baby groups. I've been teaching for 14 years and never had an Ava in my class either.

Original poster
ForumUsername · 29/01/2018 18:38

Thanks for all the replies
We both really like it, I think it has an elegant feel to it (Ava Gardner)
I like how it would suit a little girl but also an adult Woman

I know it's popularity shouldn't influence me but it does

I like it spelt Eva ( like Eva longoria and Eva Green) but think we'll/she'll forever have to correct people from pronouncing it Ee-va

OP posts:
Tissunnyupnorth · 29/01/2018 18:43

I only know one Ava, and none at our primary school! Lovely name!

raindropsandsunshine · 29/01/2018 18:45

None at our primary school! It's a lovely name.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 29/01/2018 19:12

Ava is beautiful, I only know of one little girl, aged five.
Congratulations 🌺🌺🌺

RavenWings · 29/01/2018 19:17

I teach, we are overrun with Ava/Eva etc. Nothing wrong with it as a name, but if you want rarely used it's not the way to go.

I liked the Ada/Anya suggestions. Ida?

TheDowagerCuntess · 29/01/2018 19:23

The thing about popular names is that you, personally, might not know many, and your kids might not have anyone in the class (even school) with the name.

But that doesn't alter the fact that some names are very 'of their time', and will date.

See other popular names from past eras - Karen, Nicole, Sue, Jennifer, Claire, Michelle, Linda, etc.

If that doesn't bother you, then go for it.

It's a lovely name (now, to current ears), but popularity of a name definitely puts me off.

LittleFryingPan · 29/01/2018 19:39

Mines an Ava. Only coming up to two but goes to a massive (200 odd kids up to 11 yrs) nursery and she's the only one. To say it's apparently so popular I haven't heard any other kids being shouted by her name in the park or out and about.

Do it if you love it

routineplease · 29/01/2018 20:18

My DD1 is Ava and I haven't come across many others.
I love it and as PP's have said its popular for a reason; it's a classy name that will suit both baby and woman.

Go for it - she will be your beautiful Ava.

Mayhemmumma · 29/01/2018 21:28

Don't spell Ava as Eva OP that will be a nightmare to correct people... not that they'd be wrong anyway....

Buxbaum · 29/01/2018 21:35

It’s lovely but it is SO popular, especially when combined with all f the variations on Eva. In DD’s y1 class there’s an Ava, two Evas (eeva and evva) and an Aoife. It’s only a class of 25!

Heloise111 · 29/01/2018 21:44

I think its a lovely name - but please make the prononciation AY-VA.
I have various Evas, Avas, Eves on the register - on first glance you think you are saying it right but then are informed no...
I have an Ava in one class. Its pronounced EE VA acc to her. Its a bit confusing for teachers.
Not that teacher confusion should be your sole reason!

pimlicolife · 29/01/2018 22:51

Go for it!

My daughter's Ava. She's six months old and I haven't met another one anywhere yet. (we're in London).

My name was also a very popular one (top 10) when I was born and I haven't met another person with my name in about 20 years. Smile

JacintaJones · 29/01/2018 23:28

How about Hera?

Sounds similar but not nearly so popular. I like its Mythological origin and its anything but common.

LuckyAmy1986 · 30/01/2018 17:35

Alara?

1haudyerwheesht · 30/01/2018 22:11

Scotland is over run with Eva and Ava's. I don't think I would do it.

TheDowagerCuntess · 31/01/2018 03:00

Honor?

Has a similar, elegant feel, but way less common.

HuskyMcClusky · 31/01/2018 03:06

I like it spelt Eva ( like Eva longoria and Eva Green)

Are these both pronounced AY-va?? I had no idea.

PandaCat · 31/01/2018 08:47

It is a very popular name but if you like it you shouldn't let that put you off!

Annabelle4 · 31/01/2018 09:17

Eva Longoria is definitely 'Ee-va'

Changednamejustincase · 31/01/2018 09:26

I have never met an Ava or heard of anybody I know having an Ava.

Thehairthebod · 31/01/2018 09:28

Ava will be the Claire of our young kids generation. It's everywhere. It's lovely, but it's everywhere.

Thehairthebod · 31/01/2018 09:30

My DH can't understand the rise in Ava, as he says he immediately thinks of Hitler'wife Eva (apparently pronounced Ava) Braun. Its not a connection I make though.

Annabelle4 · 31/01/2018 09:48

'Ava will be the Claire of our young kids generation. It's everywhere. It's lovely, but it's everywhere'

I don't think that happens anymore. There is such a huge variety of names these days, compared to when we were called either Claire, Sarah, Karen or Tracey.

MikeUniformMike · 31/01/2018 09:57

I don't 'get' Ava either or Eva. I think Eve and Evie are pretty but wouldn't want to be called either of them.
Ava was nice for Ava Gardner. The one I don't get at all is Darcey/Darcy although Dame Bussell is lovely.
These little girls have a lot to live up to.

Swipe left for the next trending thread