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Baby names

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

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:
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JumpingFrogs · 31/01/2018 09:59

It's true that in German Eva is pronounced "Ava". I think the spelling was started by Eva Gardner . My son is 18. We called him Joseph which was one of the very very popular names when he was born. We have known a couple of others in school over the years but never in his class. So it's really not a problem. All names will date and no one can really predict how a name will age. I had elderly female relatives with names like Lily, Molly and Daisy...which I considered really frumpy and old fashioned when I was growing up! If you like it, go for it!

PeonyTruffle · 31/01/2018 10:03

My DS aged 3 has a best friend called Ava. She’s the only I’ve come across Smile

Macandpeas · 31/01/2018 12:02

The popularity wouldn't bother me, both my dc have top 10 names but are the only ones in their classes with those names.

Ava is pretty but I do think it'll date, a bit like Chloe, Ellie and Kimberley etc.

glitterbiscuits · 31/01/2018 12:14

It’s very plain. A bit dull.

TheDowagerCuntess · 31/01/2018 17:22

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.

It still happens. The wide variety of names doesn't stop the fact that there are still a strong cohort of popular, 'top 10' names that will date to the era they were prevalent in.

In any case, I'm from the era of Claire, Karen, Joanne, etc. and there was a pretty wide variety of names then too (and I don't have one of those names). They're still the names we all associate with that era.

RavenWings · 31/01/2018 17:24

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.

Honestly, no there really isn't. Eva/Ella/Ava/Sophie etc are all very current and will date. Not a bad thing in and of itself really, but this notion that some names aren't everywhere just isn't accurate ime.

Rihanna89 · 31/01/2018 17:24

I know loads of babies called Ava, how about Ayda?

kaytee87 · 31/01/2018 20:11

I like Eve which is similar. Not so keen on Ava, different people will pronounce it differently

IHaveBrilloHair · 31/01/2018 20:51

Eva/Ava/Bella/Sophie/Elle/Ella/Ellen/Emiily/Amelie/Amelia/Isobel etc.
All lovely, but all quite similar once shortened and kinda blend into blah.

lauren890 · 31/01/2018 21:00

My friend wanted to call her daughter Ava but her hubby didn’t like it. They settled on Asia, it’s not to everyone’s taste but they were travelling round Asia when they met so it was a good choice for them.

NewMummy579 · 31/01/2018 21:04

If you love it use it. She will be YOUR Ava, regardless of popularity. My DS has a popular name but I've always loved it, and surprisingly he is the only one in his nursery. I've had some rude comments about his name before he was born and also on MN 'yawn, so common, boring' etc but I honestly can't stand this trend the now to have an 'unusual/unique' name that no one else has which half the time is a made up name. It's a popularity trend, so makes it just as 'common' as picking a classic name!
If you love it go for it and don't worry what anyone else thinks. Least she won't be bullied for having a daft name

frostedfields · 31/01/2018 21:05

I do think it's a bit too popular, but go for it if you really love it. I think Ada is a bit nicer.

Tessermee · 31/01/2018 21:06

I love Ava, really beautiful. I don’t know any Ava’s but know so many kids called Eva and Evie. My dd has a very popular name but is the only one in her Year at school, you can never tell. I was one of 3 in my Year but never had a problem with it.

IHaveBrilloHair · 31/01/2018 21:13

Oh, it goes without saying, if you love it you should use it but I assume when people ask on here they want the truth before they use it.

SaltAndPeppaPig · 31/01/2018 21:18

I love Ava, I have an Ivy already so I could never use it.. also love Eve as an alternative - there's more Eva's than Ava's out there as far as I've experienced, so use the name if you like it! I thought I'd struggle to meet another Baby Ivy - but I have - and one gorgeous wee dog too, so no name can ever be properly unique Grin

BendydickCuminsnatch · 31/01/2018 21:30

I have 2 kids under 3, for context. I have never come across an Ava at baby groups etc (south east). LOVE it!

BendydickCuminsnatch · 31/01/2018 21:32

Just realised I probably couldn't use it because DS is Evan Grin gutted!

TheDowagerCuntess · 01/02/2018 03:57

but I honestly can't stand this trend the now to have an 'unusual/unique' name that no one else has which half the time is a made up name. It's a popularity trend, so makes it just as 'common' as picking a classic name.

Honestly, there is a vast ocean of middle ground - between popular, top 10 names, and unusual/unique names.

Most people seem to fall happily into this camp.

mynameisnotmichaelcaine · 02/02/2018 14:15

I have an Ava, she's 14. I have never regretted using it. Also she appreciates that because her name became vastly popular about a decade after she was born, people will always think she's younger than she is!

elderlee · 12/02/2018 14:24

Go for it - Ava is a beautiful name hence its popularity!

Xmamalovex · 18/02/2018 12:39

Love Ava but someone in Hubbys family used it so we couldn't 🙈
Ada, Edie, Isla, Evie are similar names & all lovely xx

MrsElvis · 18/02/2018 12:52

Beautiful and you MUST go for what you love regardless of trends.

alpineibex · 18/02/2018 12:52

Only heard of one irl.

Frazzled2207 · 18/02/2018 14:12

Today I'm at a major tourist attraction in Yorkshire and have heard it called out at least three times.

Lovely but don't give her middle name Rose. Loads of Ava Roses and Ava-Roses round here.

MrsIndecisive2 · 05/04/2022 23:01

I completely agree with you! Not a fan of made up names and don't see the issue with 'top 10 names' each to their own but no one should be made to feel bad just because they love a top 10 name, it's top 10 for a reason x