Oliver or Alexander

[squirrelnutkinned]

Can't chose between these two names. I know both are quite common andOliver is the most popular name but I'm not sure how much of a difference it will make day to day. Do you come across lots of one or the other? Both go equally well with our surname n I like both nicknames.

Which do you prefer and why?

Both are nice but I prefer Oliver.

I like both also (unhelpful sorry) but I guess it depends whether you like the nicknames Ollie and Alex? As that’s what they will probably inevitably become at school. I would probably lean towards Alexander.

Alexander by a considerable margin.

Alexander because it's more unusual and you can shorten it lots of ways. Oliver is. Nice name too though.

Both such bland names, but Alexander is marginally better.

Alexander

I have an Oliver/Ollie. I ummed and arred due to its popularity but it hasn't been an issue and his name really suits him. There is one other Oliver at his nursery but it doesn't bother me too much. Both names are lovely. Alexander is probably less common so if the popularity is going to bother you then that's probably the better choice x

I'm biased because we have an Alexander. He's always been an Alex though, and if it had only been up to me, he would have formally only been Alex.

I’d say Oliver but then I’m biased
My ds is now 18 And it was top 10 then.
He’s been to two primary schools - and was the only Oliver in his class both times and a large secondary school - 6 classes per year and there was only one other Oliver through the whole year group.
I think it’s completely random. You may name your child Oliver and find 3 others in his class or he could be the only one in the school!
Go with that you love. Make sure you like the nn’s and that you’re happy with the initials.
Alex is a nice name too and was also on our list

I much prefer Alexander.

Alexander is great. Oliver is just bleugh for me.

Alexander.

I prefer Oliver!

I like both names, it depends which goes best with your surname and I hope that doesn't end in 'er' :-)). They are good names, classic.

We had this exact same dilemma!! Both are lovely.

Also I have an Oliver. He is currently the only one in nursery so it is pot luck. I have a feeling that fewer people are choosing the name because it has been number 1.

Alexander by a country mile - sounds like you need to add ‘the Great’ to the end of it and I never understood Oliver’s popularity tbh

They’re both nice, why not both, a friend is called Oliver Alexander, lovely name.

If you have 2 James that you like equally just wait until you meet him. One will Just suit better than the other.

Alex. Alex is less common. I've taught lots of Olivers over the last ten years. Can't think of any Alex's

Alexander. I think Oliver's popularity may be waning a bit now, but I find it's quite a cyclical name (I knew one at school in the 80s and it was considered an extremely unusual name at the time) while Alexander is more steady and timeless. I also like it better, though Oliver is perfectly inoffensive.

I like both, Alexander has the edge for me as the NN Alex is lovely. Although my DD had three Alexanders and one Alexandra in a class of 28!

Alexander

Alexander

Much prefer Oliver, don't like Alexander or Alex at all.